Don't Be Afraid to Be Uncomfortable

Mary L. Smith is Special Counsel & Estate Trust Officer at the Office of Special Deputy Receiver in Chicago, Illinois where she helps manage over 23 entities with approximately $1.5 billion in assets. Previously, she was General Counsel at the Illinois Department of Insurance and part of the senior management team.  In this position, Ms. Smith oversaw the Legal Department and, in fiscal year 2013, oversaw the Market Conduct Section, one of the major regulatory functions of the Department of Insurance. Ms. Smith was responsible for coordinating the legal aspects of establishing a health care exchange in Illinois, developing plans for troubled companies, and leading major regulatory settlements that benefit Illinois consumers.  

Ms. Smith has also served as Counselor in the Civil Division at the United States Department of Justice. In her work in the Civil Division, Ms. Smith focused on national security, consumer protection, constitutional issues, and legislative matters.  She has also spearheaded a reorganization and reinvigoration of the Consumer Protection Branch, which handles consumer litigation including matters involving international fraud schemes.

While in the private sector, Ms. Smith was a Partner in the Chicago office of Schoeman, Updike & Kaufman, a women-owned firm, and an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in Washington, D.C. 

Ms. Smith has worked at the highest levels of government including serving in the Clinton White House as Associate Counsel to the President and Associate Director of Policy Planning where she was responsible for a number of policy areas. 

In addition to her legal activities, Ms. Smith served on the American Bar Association’s Board of Governors, and is President of the National Native American Bar Association