Shauki Smith, a 2019 graduate of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS), has received the Chairman’s Award at the National Bar Association’s 100th Annual Convention. Smith was honored for her contributions to the legal community and her role as a featured panelist on Sports and Artificial Intelligence.
Originally from San Francisco, Smith now works in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. She transitioned into law after nearly twenty years in corporate accounting and over thirteen years as an adjunct accounting professor. Admitted to the Georgia Bar in 2021, she established The Key Practice, LLC, a law firm focused on serving athletes and entrepreneurs with contract drafting, mediation, and intellectual property services.
Smith currently serves as Contracts Manager for the Washington Spirit soccer club. Her responsibilities include contract negotiation, intellectual property management, and supporting the Chief Legal Officer. She is also certified as an NFLPA Contract Advisor/Agent and teaches Sports Law at Georgia State University College of Law.
Her educational background includes degrees from San Francisco State University (B.S. in Business Administration), Mercer University (MBA with Marketing Concentration), Kennesaw State University (Master of Accounting), Emory University School of Law (Juris Master), and Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (J.D.).
Smith participates in several professional organizations such as the Sports Lawyers Association, Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA), ABA Forum on Entertainment and Sports, and NBA Entertainment, Sports, and Arts Section. She has also moderated panels for BESLA and spoken at the Black Sports Business Symposium.
Reflecting on her time at AJMLS, Smith said: “When I applied for law school, I had one goal: get in and get out. I entered with a clear vision, pursuing a career in transactional work as an in-house attorney within the sports industry. What I didn’t expect was how profoundly my experience at AJMLS would influence the lawyer I’m becoming.”
She mentioned specific faculty support during her studies: “These experiences extended beyond the classroom and have played a vital role in my growth as a legal professional,” she shared. “That’s why I remain committed to giving back, sharing my experiences with students interested in sports law, and highlighting the valuable opportunities AJMLS provides to help guide their career paths.”
The AJMLS community has recognized Smith’s award as evidence of her commitment to legal excellence and leadership within both legal practice and sports law.