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Kristin L. Smith

Partner


Houston

t:713.292.5621

f:713.292.0151

Email

Industry Focus

  • Education
  • K-12 Institutions

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Overview

Kristin Smith is a partner in the firm's Houston office and a co-chair of the Education Industry group. Her practice focuses exclusively on independent and private schools. She advises, counsels and represents religious and secular schools, including those serving pre-kindergarten-grade 12, kindergarten-grade 8, grades 6/7 – 12, and grades 9 – 12.

Kristin assists schools in a variety of areas, including student and employee discipline; faculty, staff and student contract drafting; handbook and policy drafting, implementation, and enforcement; LGBTQ issues, including transgender students and employees; board governance and training; discrimination claims and EEOC charges; administration and faculty training and development; school entanglement in family court proceedings; and, investigations, litigation, arbitration and mediation.

She is a frequent presenter to independent school associations on current legal issues.

Insights

  • Insights

    09/19/23

    6 Steps for Private and Independent Schools in the Wake of the SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling

    Kristin L. Smith

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  • News

    09/05/23

    Attorneys Discuss Religious School’s Firing of an Unwed Pregnant Teacher

    Susan M. Guerette, Kristin L. Smith

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  • Insights

    08/22/23

    New Jersey Supreme Court Sides with Catholic School That Fired Unwed Pregnant Worker: 6 Key Takeaways for Religious Schools

    Susan M. Guerette, Kristin L. Smith

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  • Insights

    08/07/23

    Back-to-School Homework for School Leaders: A 6-Step Guide to Refreshing Your Employee and Student Policies

    Kristin L. Smith

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  • Insights

    07/07/23

    Top Workplace Law Stories You May Have Missed from June 2023

    Alyssa Levy Andalman, Amanda M. Blair, Risa B. Boerner, Suzanne K. Bogdan, Michael E. Bonner, James S. Bradbury, Melissa (Osipoff) Camire, Jennifer B. Carroll, Myra K. Creighton, Jeffrey M. Csercsevits, Deepa K. Desai , Benjamin M. Ebbink, Michael P. Elkon, LaLonnie Villa Gray, Darcey M. Groden, Brian Guerinot, Andrew J. Hoag, Wendy Hughes, Matthew R. Korn, Anne Yarovoy Khan, Kenneth A. Knox, Emily N. Litzinger, Todd A. Lyon, Danielle Hultenius Moore, Andreas Mosby , Joshua D. Nadreau, Raymond W. Perez, George A. Reeves III, Justin Reiter, Jenna B. Rubin, Nan Sato, Brent Sedge , Julia A. Sherwood, Kristin L. Smith, Shane Stover, Henry Thomson-Smith, Megan E. Walker, David J. Walton, Sheila M. Willis, Erica G. Wilson, Franklin Z. Wolf, Annie Ziesing

    Read more 

  • News

    06/29/23

    Fisher Phillips Welcomes Experienced Education Industry Professional, Deborah O’Toole, to Growing Charlotte Office

    Jennifer B. Carroll, Kristin L. Smith

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  • Insights

    06/29/23

    SCOTUS Severely Limits Affirmative Action Admissions in Education: 6 Things You Should Do + 6 Things to Boost Diversity Efforts

    Suzanne K. Bogdan, Jennifer B. Carroll, Brian Guerinot, Jenna B. Rubin, Julia A. Sherwood, Kristin L. Smith, Sheila M. Willis

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  • Insights

    06/15/23

    Key Checklists for Schools to Prepare for Active Shooters and Boost Campus Safety Protocols

    Jennifer B. Carroll, Kristin L. Smith, Travis Vance

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  • Insights

    05/24/23

    Summer Reading for Educational Leaders: 15 Links to Help You Plan for the 2023-2024 School Year

    Jennifer B. Carroll, Kristin L. Smith

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  • Event

    04/20/23

    2023-2024 School Year Planning

    Kristin L. Smith, J. Micah Dickie

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Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 2001, magna cum laude, Mitchell Hamline School of Law
  • M.A., 1998, University of Minnesota
  • B.B.A., 1997, University of Minnesota

Bar Admissions

  • Texas

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Affiliations

Professional Activities

  • Texas State Bar Association
  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Community Activities

  • The Awty International School, Volunteer, 2015 - present
  • Dress for Success Houston, Advisory Board Member, 2011 - present
  • Episcopal High School, Volunteer, 2007 - present
  • St. Luke's Day School, Volunteer, 2012 - 2015
  • St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Endowment Board, 2009 - 2010

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