Professor Annie Smith Appointed Chair of Legal Aid of Arkansas Board of Directors

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Annie Smith, professor of law

Annie Smith, professor of law and director of the Civil Litigation & Advocacy Clinic and Human Trafficking Clinic, has been appointed to serve as chair of the board of directors of Legal Aid of Arkansas after serving served on the board for eight years, beginning her service in 2015.

"It is critically important for all Arkansans with legal problems to have access to quality legal assistance regardless of their ability to afford an attorney. For decades, Legal Aid of Arkansas has sought to ensure access to justice for thousands of Arkansans in a wide range of civil matters," Smith said. "It is an honor to serve on the board of Legal Aid of Arkansas and try to support the tireless advocacy of its committed staff."

Legal Aid of Arkansas is a nonprofit, public interest law firm that provides free legal services to low-income Arkansans with civil legal problems across 31 counties. It assists thousands of clients every year in priority areas such as family law, consumer issues, bankruptcy or evictions. The mission of Legal Aid of Arkansas is to champion equal justice for low‐income individuals and communities and to remedy the conditions that burden and marginalize them.

"We are lucky to have the great leadership of Annie Smith. Her commitment and engagement to Legal Aid and those we serve is laudable," said Lee Richardson, executive director of Legal Aid of Arkansas.

Dean Cynthia Nance said, "Annie's service to the state is extensive, significant and reflects our land grant mission. We are very proud that she is at the forefront in creating opportunities for access to justice for low income Arkansans."

In addition teaching and directing the clinics, Smith also served as faculty director of the School of Law's Public Service and Pro Bono Program from 2019-2022. In 2021, Smith received the inaugural School of Law Dean's Circle Faculty Award for Service. Prior to joining the School of Law faculty in 2012, Smith served as a Friedman Fellow and interim director of the International Human Rights Clinic at The George Washington University Law School. She started her legal career at the Workers' Legal Rights Project of Legal Services of New Jersey. 

About the University of Arkansas School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. and is home to the nation's first LL.M. program in agriculture and food law. Led by nationally recognized faculty, the school offers students pro bono work, live client clinics, public service fellowships, competitions, and much more. Students also benefit from our location in one of the fastest growing, most livable, and economically vibrant regions in the U.S., and from our corporate externship partnerships with Fortune 500 companies. Our alumni have gone on to become judges, senators, and governors, and we serve communities throughout our state and nation through programs such as the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative. Our longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion is exemplified by the Six Pioneers, the first Black students to attend law school in the South. Follow us at @uarklaw.