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Kristin L. Smith

Partner


Houston/Minneapolis

t:713.292.5621

f:713.292.0151

Email

Industry Focus

  • Education
  • K-12 Institutions

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Overview
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Insights

Overview

Kristin Smith is a partner in the firm's Houston and Minneapolis offices 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.

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
  • Minnesota

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

Insights

  • Insights

    04/25/25

    Trump Issues 7 New Executive Orders Impacting Higher Ed and K-12 Schools, Ranging From DEI to Discipline to AI

    Sheila M. Abron, Jennifer B. Carroll, Kristin L. Smith

    Read more 

  • Insights

    04/24/25

    Measles in Texas: What Private Schools Can Do During the Ongoing Outbreak

    Brian Guerinot, Kristin L. Smith

    Read more 

  • Insights

    03/03/25

    Do’s and Don’ts for Your School When Conducting Job Interviews

    Preston L. Buchanan, Jennifer B. Carroll, Kristin L. Smith

    Read more 

  • Insights

    02/27/25

    Education Department Kicks Off New Era of Title VI Discrimination Enforcement: What Your School Must Know + 5 Steps to Take Now

    Sheila M. Abron, Melissa A. Dials, James F. Glunt, Kelly Ahern, Sarah Moore, Kristin L. Smith

    Read more 

  • Event

    02/13/25

    Immigration in Schools: Navigating the Impact of Trump Administration Policies and Ensuring Student & Educator Protections

    Angelica M. Ochoa, Radhika Mehta, Kristin L. Smith

    Read more 

  • Insights

    02/06/25

    Immigration Enforcement FAQs for K-12 Schools in New Trump Era

    Jennifer B. Carroll, Brian J. Coughlin, Radhika Mehta, Angelica M. Ochoa, Kristin L. Smith

    Read more 

  • Insights

    01/28/25

    From Immigration Raids to DEI and Bathroom Access: How K-12 Schools Should Respond to the First Week of Trump Executive Orders

    Sheila M. Abron, Jennifer B. Carroll, Brian J. Coughlin, Sarah Leon, Radhika Mehta, Angelica M. Ochoa, Jenna B. Rubin, Kristin L. Smith

    Read more 

  • Insights

    01/17/25

    FP’s Top 2025 Predictions for Higher Education and K-12 Private and Independent Schools

    Jennifer B. Carroll, Kristin L. Smith

    Read more 

  • Insights

    01/10/25

    How Schools Should Respond to the PowerSchool Cyberattack

    Jennifer B. Carroll, Kile E. Marks, Daniel Pepper, Kristin L. Smith

    Read more 

  • Insights

    12/09/24

    Court Backs School in AI Cheating Case: 5 Things Your School Can Do to Avoid Trouble

    Jennifer B. Carroll, Kristin L. Smith

    Read more 

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