Shavon J. Smith founded The SJS Law Firm, PLLC in 2014 and quickly gained a reputation as a business attorney who couples her legal background with strong business acumen. Shavon serves as general counsel to small business owners and has dedicated her practice to counseling business owners, start-ups, and entrepreneurs on a range of legal issues. She serves a diverse client base across multiple industry segments. Her clients call on her for guidance with multi-mullion dollar commercial real estate acquisitions and leasing, business financing, corporate governance, litigation, dispute resolution, complex transaction, and end-to-end contract support. Additionally, she represents her clients on a range of employment issues. Shavon is dedicated to her clients’ businesses and works diligently to develop a keen understanding of the business and operations of each of her clients in order to deliver unparalleled counseling and service.
Ms. Smith lectures and speaks regularly to business owners and groups such as the American Bar Association, various Chambers of Commerce, Prince George’s County’ Economic Development Corporation and Supplier Development and Diversity Division, District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business, Greater Washington Urban League, National Society of Black Engineers, District of Columbia Bar and District of Columbia Women’s Bar. Association. Ms. Smith is the author of the e-book, “The Small Business Owner’s Guide to Hiring an Attorney.” She is also an instructor with the Prince George’s County Community College Center for Entrepreneurial Development where she teaches Growing Your Business With Teaming Arrangements and Legal Issues Business Owner’s Face. Ms. Smith frequently volunteers with various organizations to provide pro bono assistance to community entrepreneurs. She was also featured in the December 2017 issues of the Washington Lawyer for her pro bono work within the article “Do Pro Bono Work: Sound Advice That Still Resonates.”
As part of her volunteer community efforts, Ms. Smith sits on the board of a southeast DC non-profit – Wheeler Creek Community Development Corporation. She is also an active member of the District of Columbia Bar as a part of the Law Practice Management Community.
Prior to opening her firm, Shavon was a litigation associate at a large corporate law firm in Washington, DC and law clerk to Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby (now Chief Judge) on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the District of Columbia Superior Court. Shavon received her JD from Howard University School of Law where she was a Merit Scholarship Recipient and BA in Political Theory and International Relations from Michigan State University. Shavon was selected as a “Super Lawyers Rising Star” for 2013 & 2015-2016.
