ELSA W. SMITH
Founder & Managing Member
Attorney Elsa W. Smith
Telephone:
410-995-7719
Address:
1125 West Street,
Suite 200
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Practice Areas: Wills & Estate Planning, Probate, Business Formation
Elsa W. Smith is the founder and managing member of the Law Offices of Elsa W. Smith, LLC, a highly sought-after estate planning firm serving Maryland and the District of Columbia. Her clients benefit from Elsa’s more than 20 years of experience as a lawyer. Elsa has been repeatedly recognized as a Top Rated Estate Planning Lawyer in Maryland by Super Lawyers.
Elsa focuses her practice on wills and estate planning and business formation services. She counsels individuals, families and business owners in the creation of wills, trusts, financial powers of attorney and advance directives. Additionally, she offers entrepreneurs comprehensive business formation advice and succession planning.
The Law Offices of Elsa W. Smith, LLC is proudly minority and woman-owned with a mission to empower women through estate planning. Elsa, a native Spanish speaker of Afro-Cuban descent, brings a unique perspective as a small business owner who understands the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami. She is a graduate of the ACTEC Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute. Elsa is licensed in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Her main office is located in Annapolis, Maryland.
Elsa has an impressive record of service in professional and community organizations. Elsa has volunteered her time as an estate planning attorney with the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland. She is the former Vice President of the American Business Women’s Association-Maryland Capital Chapter. She is a member of the Bar Associations of Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties. Elsa is a former Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Maryland State Bar Association Estate & Trust Law Section.
Currently, she serves as an at-large member on the Board of Governors of the Maryland State Bar Association and also serves on its Budget & Finance Committee. She is serving a second term on the MSBA’s Estate & Trust Law Section Council.
Throughout her career, attorney Elsa W. Smith has made multiple appearances on radio, television and internet programs, and featured in printed publications. Elsa created a YouTube channel dedicated to providing free educational information on wills, estate planning, probate and business formation topics. In addition, Elsa hosts a dynamic podcast called “Wills, Women & Wealth with Attorney Elsa W. Smith,” available on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.
How May We Help You?
Education
B.B.A., University of Miami School of Business (Coral Gables, FL)
J.D., University of Miami School of Law
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Maryland
District of Columbia
United States District Court, District of Maryland
United States Supreme Court
Select Honors and Awards
Leading Lawyer, What’s Up? Media (2022-2023)
Super Lawyers, Maryland, Estate Planning & Probate (2024)
Super Lawyers, Maryland, Estate Planning & Probate (2023)
Super Lawyers, Maryland, Estate Planning & Probate (2022)
Super Lawyers, Maryland, Estate Planning & Probate (2021)
Top Ten Business Woman of ABWA, American Business Women’s Association (2021)
Select Speaking Engagements, Seminars and Interviews
Panelist: University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Panel Legally Latino (October 4, 2024)
Panelist: Wills & Wealth Discussion, hosted by Mount Lebanon Baptist Church and Justis Connection (September 14, 2024)
Guest Presenter: “Tax Planning, Estate Planning & Tax-Free Investing” Workshop, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated -Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter, (January 27, 2024)
Guest Presenter: “Surviving in Challenging Economic Times,” Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated -Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter, (November 5, 2022)
Webinar Guest Presenter: “How To Go From Overwhelmed To Empowered Through Estate Planning,” hosted by the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (October 24, 2022)
Webinar Guest Presenter: Estate Planning Webinar hosted by Montgomery County Parents of Multiples (May 9, 2022)
Webinar Guest Presenter: “Estate Planning for Women: Understanding the Basics,” SHE SUMMIT, She Leads She Speaks/Toastmasters International (March 26, 2022)
Webinar Guest Presenter: Estate Planning Webinar hosted by Annapolis Mothers of Multiples (March 21, 2022)
Webinar Guest Presenter: “Estate Planning for Military Families,” Active Military and Veteran Home Buyers and Sellers Seminar (February 18, 2022)
Interview with Journalist Taylor Thomas, “Managing Your End of Year Financial Decisions,” Black Press USA – FIYAH Live (December 23, 2021)
Interview with Journalist Taylor Thomas on Estate Planning, Black Press USA (February 18, 2021)
Interview with Tess Silverman, r(E)volutionary Woman podcast (November 2021)
Webinar Guest Presenter: Wills, Estate Planning & Retirement Workshop, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter (November 5, 2021)
Webinar Guest Presenter: “How to Go From Overwhelm to Empowerment,” Abounding Grace Church International (September 23, 2021)
Interview with Malcolm Ethridge, Building Generational Wealth Through Proper Estate Planning, Tech Money Podcast (June 23, 2021)
Webinar Guest Presenter: “Putting Your Mask On First: Estate Planning for Today’s Woman,” Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. – Eta Theta Sigma Alumnae Chapter (April 10, 2021)
Webinar Guest Presenter: Wills, Estate Planning & Retirement Workshop, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter (November 25, 2020)
Guest Presenter Wills, Estate Planning & Retirement Workshop, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter (April 13, 2019)
Guest Presenter: Estate Planning Webinar, “Estate Planning in Uncertain Times: How to Get Ready and Stay Ready,” Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Annapolis (MD) Alumni Chapter (December 12, 2020)
Spanish-Language Presenter: COVID-19 Access to Justice Task Force Virtual Community Forum- Life and Health Planning (Review of Estate Planning Documents), Maryland Attorney General, Maryland State Bar Association (October 21, 2020)
Guest Presenter: Estate Planning, American Business Women’s Association – Oxon Hill Charter Chapter Chapter Meeting (September 19, 2020)
Presenter, “How to Take Control of Your Life and Legacy Through Estate Planning,” Family Matters Workshop, Cornerstone Peaceful Bible Baptist Church (March 14, 2020)
Interview with Davina Frederick, “Transformation from Litigator to Transactional Lawyer,” Wealthy Woman Lawyer podcast (February 18, 2020)
Guest Presenter: “Estate Planning for Women: What You Need To Know,” American Business Women’s Association – DC Charter Chapter (August 27, 2018)
