Erica Catherine Smith

1121 Cumberland Hall | College Park, MD ♦ (301) 405-3225 ♦ [email protected]

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

University of Maryland College Park, MD Assistant Director of Justice and Legal Thought Feb 2014-Present  Work in conjunction with the program director to develop and implement the newest College Park Scholars Program, Justice and Legal Thought, which launched in Fall 2014.  Maintain a consistent presence in the Justice and Legal Thought office to advise students regarding their Scholars’ program requirements as well as to help students identify practical experiences that support their academic program.  Responsible for teaching within the Justice and Legal Thought program as well as playing an active role in curriculum design.

Georgetown University Law Center Washington, DC Assistant Director of J.D. Admissions Oct 2011-Feb 2014  Assisted in the development and implementation of programs for student outreach, recruitment, and admissions to generate an entering class of approximately 575 full-time and part-time students.  Evaluated a portion of the 8,000+ applications received annually and made recommendations regarding the admission of individual applicants to the Admissions Committee.  Managed the day-to-day operations of the Alumni Admissions Interview Program which comprised 800+ volunteer alumni conducting more than 1,025 interviews of first-year J.D. applicants annually.  Oversaw the online and print publication of admissions materials designed to inform prospective students about Georgetown Law and attract matriculates who have been invited to join the incoming class.

Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker LLP Washington, DC Associate Mar 2010-Oct 2011  Represent clients in the areas of complex consumer litigation, insurance defense litigation, professional liability litigation, and general liability litigation.  Practice involves defending against claims for declaratory and injunctive relief, breach of contract, nuisance, trespass, quasi-contractual relief, negligence, wrongful death and survival benefits, personal injury damage, and class action allegations.  Handle all aspects of the litigation process including, but not limited to, drafting and responding to complaints and discovery requests; taking and defending depositions; communicating with clients regarding case strategy; negotiating settlements; preparing dispositive motions and preparing for trial.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Los Angeles, CA Associate in the Business Trial Practice Group Sept 2006-Mar 2008 Summer Associate Summer 2005  Represented clients in the area of business and commercial litigation.  Practice involved several aspects of business and commercial litigation including, products liability, real estate disputes, labor and employment matters, breach of contract claims, allegations of unfair business practices and fraud, insurance disputes, antitrust matters, intellectual property disputes, white collar criminal defense, and general business disputes.  Handled all aspects of the litigation process including, but not limited to, drafting and responding to complaints and discovery requests; reviewing and producing documents; communicating with clients regarding case strategy; preparing dispositive motions; consulting with opposing counsel regarding possible settlements; and preparing for trial. University of California, Berkeley, School of Law Berkeley, CA Teaching Assistant for the Legal Research and Writing Program Spring 2005  Assisted first-year law students in building their legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.  Edited first-year student’s legal memoranda, conducted one-on-one writing conferences with these students, and prepared them for their oral arguments.

University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA Graduate Student Instructor Fall 2004-Spring 2006  Taught two discussion sections of Introduction to American Politics per week and one section of Contemporary Issues in the Asian American Communities per week during Spring 2006.  Taught two discussion sections of Introduction to American Politics per week during Fall 2005.  Taught two discussion sections of Crime and Criminal Justice per week during Fall 2004.  Attended lectures and weekly meetings, held office hours, and evaluated and commented on student assignments during Fall 2004, Fall 2005, and Spring 2006.

Heller Ehrman LLP (Offer Extended) Los Angeles, CA Summer Associate Summer 2004  Performed extensive legal research and drafted memoranda of law concerning securities litigation, real estate litigation, and labor & employment law.  Participated in 2004 Trial Advocacy Program (TAP) & Public Counsel Day.

EDUCATION

Temple University, Beasley School of Law Philadelphia, PA LL.M. in Trial Advocacy, May 2009

University of California, Berkeley, School of Law Berkeley, CA J.D., May 2006 Honors: Heller Ehrman Diversity Fellow; Prosser Prize and Honors in Legal Profession: Private Practice Emphasis; High Honors Appellate Advocacy; High Honors Legal Theory Seminar; Honors Criminal Trial Practice; Honors Contracts; Honors Asian Americans & the Law; Honors Individual Research Project

Hood College Frederick, MD B.A. in Law & Society (Honors Program), May 2003 Honors: Three-Year Bachelor's Degree Graduate; Hood College Scholar; Convocation Honors; Hodson Foundation Scholar; Who's Who Among Students In American Universities & Colleges 70th Annual Edition; The National Dean's List 24th, 25th & 26th Annual Editions

BAR ADMISSIONS

Admitted to the Bars of the District of Columbia and California

PUBLICATIONS

Olivier F. Theard & Erica C. Smith, Repairing the Pipeline: What’s Causing the Shortage of Black Male Lawyers? LOS ANGELES DAILY JOURNAL, Nov. 05, 2007, at 6.