Ms. Smith practices primarily in the area of tribal and federal Indian law, with an emphasis in governmental affairs and economic development. In this capacity, she has served as General Counsel to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and its subdivisions, including Ho-Chunk, Inc., the Tribe’s economic development corporation. Ms. Smith has extensive experience in a broad range of tribal governance and tribal economic development matters, including financing, gaming, real estate, employment, and intergovernmental relations. She also works with tribal constitution and enrollment issues, tribal court administration, and ordinance and code drafting. Additionally, Ms. Smith is experienced in advising non-profit organizations, schools, and community colleges.

Significantly, Ms. Smith has experience in tribal self-governance. She was recently instrumental in transferring management of the failing Winnebago Indian Health Service Hospital to tribal control. The hospital is now called the Twelve Clans Unity Hospital. Ms. Smith is the CEO of the Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System, which operates the hospital.