Kathryn U. Smith  

Attorney

Native Charlottean Kathryn Underwood Smith attended Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools from kindergarten through high school. Kathryn graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a B.S. in marketing and a special education teaching certificate. She earned her Juris Doctorate from UNC Chapel Hill School of Law in 2006 and was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar a few months after graduation. (Kathryn is a proud Tarheel!) Kathryn has practiced law in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Elizabeth City and has experience in civil litigation, family law, estate planning, as well as special education law through her own previous law firm and prior employers.

While in Elizabeth City, Kathryn worked as an adjunct law professor, assistant in-house counsel, Title IX Coordinator, and Government Relations Officer. In each of her prior positions, Kathryn gained experience in domestic violence cases, separation agreements, custody disputes, and other family law matters. Kathryn has also given presentations on various legal topics throughout North Carolina, including on Estate Planning. Kathryn moved back to her hometown in 2019 to live closer to her family and put down her roots.

Throughout her entire life, she has followed her passion of being a “voice for the voiceless,” both personally and professionally. Kathryn worked proudly as a special education teacher for six years over the span of her career, then pursued this field to help those with disabilities as a special education attorney. She is also a staunch community advocate, as she has served on the boards of directors for several non-profits, as well as helped lead fundraisers. She especially likes to volunteer with organizations who help people with disabilities thrive in school and our community. In her free time, Kathryn enjoys spending time with her two sons and her husband. She especially loves going to the beach and spending time at the pool with her family, as well as attempting to play golf.