Matilda Smith

Matilda G. Smith

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

Panelist, Litigating in the Wild West: Trial Techniques for District Court

Matilda G. Smith (she/her) is a dedicated legal professional with a diverse background in civil litigation and access to justice initiatives. Graduating from St. Mary's College of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2011, she embarked on a path of legal advocacy that has since been marked by exemplary service and commitment to serving the community.

After earning her Juris Doctor with honors (cum laude) from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2014, Matilda was admitted to the Maryland Bar and began her legal career as a law clerk to Associate Judge Julie L Glass in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. This invaluable experience laid the foundation for her subsequent roles in the legal field.

Transitioning to the Maryland Center for Legal Assistance, Matilda served as a Staff Attorney from 2015 to 2019, offering crucial legal counseling services to pro se litigants on a wide range of civil legal issues. Her passion for access to justice led her to the Maryland Judiciary's Access to Justice Department, where she played a pivotal role in developing resources for the public, including informational videos displayed in courthouses. Additionally, her expertise in marketing court services was recognized with the publication of her guide in the National Center for State Courts' prestigious publication, Trends in State Courts.

In 2022, Matilda joined the University of Maryland School of Law as a Staff Attorney, where she has been instrumental in the development of the Eviction Prevention Clinic within the Clinical Law Program. In her current role, she supervises law students practicing pursuant to Md. Rule 19-220, imparting invaluable knowledge in trial advocacy, legal professionalism, substantive housing law, and civil procedure. Collaborating closely with Professor Daniel Rosenberg, she manages her own caseload of eviction defense cases while ensuring the Clinic's overall success.