Michelle Erica Smith joined the firm in 2013 and focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, administration and elder law. Michelle is passionate about helping clients navigate the complex and often sensitive topics of estate planning or the loss of a loved one and the administration of their estate. In addition, she is skilled in aiding clients plan for the protection of their assets within the stringent Medicaid rules. Further, when a parent or loved one becomes incapacitated and can no longer handle their own affairs, Michelle is experienced in representing clients in Guardianship proceedings.
Michelle began her career as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Maureen B. Mantineo, P.J.S.C, in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County, Family Part. After practicing law in the matrimonial and family law field, she completed graduate studies and obtained an advanced legal degree, Masters of Law in Taxation (LL.M. in Taxation) from New York Law School in 2012. During her time at New York Law School, Michelle concentrated her studies on estate and tax planning, making her particularly skilled in these areas of law. Michelle is admitted to the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Bars, and the bar of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Prior to joining the firm, she practiced with Levine DeSantis, LLC. In addition to her LL.M. in Taxation from New York Law School, she obtained a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Delaware (2004) and her J.D. from Widener University School of Law (2007).
Past Employment Positions
• Levine Desantis, Associate, 2012 to 2013
• Gomperts Braun & McDermott, Associate, 2009 to 2010
Fraternities/Sororities
• Alpha Epsilon Phi