Sharnae L. Smith is a multi-bar-admitted attorney licensed to practice law in Maryland, the District of Columbia, New York, and before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and the U.S. Supreme Court. She has built a distinguished career spanning more than a decade in ethics, compliance, and government practice, with a reputation for her meticulous legal analysis and commitment to advancing integrity in public service.

Sharnae graduated from the George Washington University earning her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor in 2010 and has since cultivated a legal career that bridges private practice, federal government service, and entrepreneurial leadership.

Conflict resolution, fairness, and ethical governance have been at the forefront of Sharnae’s practice. Her federal career included service as Acting Team Lead for the Department of the Interior’s Financial Disclosure Branch and as Assistant General Counsel & Chief of Ethics at the Defense Intelligence Agency, where she counseled senior officials on conflicts of interest, financial disclosures, and compliance matters. She also served as an Attorney-Advisor at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, advising on high-level ethics counseling and appeals.

In addition to her government service, Sharnae founded and managed Smith Legal Services, LLC, a solo practice focused on estate planning, bankruptcy, and family law. Through that practice, she has helped countless families plan for the future and navigate financial transitions with care and foresight. She has also taught Business Law as an adjunct professor, authored community legal columns.

She is also active in civic and community initiatives, serving as a Volunteer Advocate with Autism Speaks and as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she contributes to voter education, social justice, and community empowerment programs.

A Maryland native, Sharnae is passionate about empowering others through knowledge of the law and is committed to helping both individuals and organizations navigate complex compliance challenges with integrity. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys traveling, event planning, creative design, and spending quality time with her fiancé, family, and friends as she plans her upcoming wedding.