15 INSIDER
DESCRIBE YOUR WORK: My work is
a hybrid of finance and commercial real estate practices, specializing in nationwide lender representation under government agency programs in the multifamily housing industry. WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK? I enjoy delicious meals with friends and family, dancing, hiking, meditating, mentoring college students, reading an array of books of the non-legal variety and all things sarcastic. I also have a very healthy obsession with “Game of Thrones.” ARE YOU WHERE YOU EXPECTED TO BE AT THIS STAGE OF YOUR CAREER AND LIFE? On the whole,
2
I’ve met many of my expectations but have also given myself room to adjust my plans as I’ve evolved. Professionally, my 2L self was completely convinced that Troutman Sanders was the home for me. When envisioning my future career at TS it always felt more like fact than fantasy, which made me determined to fulfill the vision I had for my future. Now I’m a partner at TS and my plan clearly came to fruition, but I attribute that 2L confidence to women’s intuition combined with divine intervention and a sprinkling of naiveté. I also freely admit that I never imagined myself thriving as a multifamily housing attorney— frankly, because I didn’t know that niche existed at the time. I’m grateful that I allowed myself some leeway on the specifics of how I would reach my goals, because I otherwise may have missed out on a tremendous practice and some of the best colleagues I could have ever imagined. On a personal level, my visions of the future were much more vague 15 years ago. However, I fully expected to be a background dancer for Beyoncé by this time. Hopefully, she’ll discover my untapped talent before her next tour. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR LIFE 15 YEARS AFTER LAW
ASHANTÉ SMITH ’02 PARTNER, TROUTMAN SANDERS RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
50 UVA LAWYER FALL 2017
SCHOOL? I love my life. I am happy, healthy, grateful and optimistic. I feel like I’m living and not merely existing. I declare that proudly, because I wouldn’t have necessarily said that just a few months ago due to some poorly managed health issues. On the other side of that rough patch, I feel vibrant and excited about the future. The tough times taught me that nothing should be taken for granted and further convinced me that I have a phenomenal support system. These much sweeter times remind me that anything is possible and that life is meant to be lived with zest.