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. In addition, Elsa assists small and emerging businesses with contract drafting and review, corporate organization, drafting business policies, expansion and growth consultations, and business succession planning.

The Law Offices of Elsa W. Smith, LLC is proudly minority and woman-owned whose mission is to empower women through estate planning. Elsa is a native Spanish speaker of Afro-Cuban descent. As a small business owner herself, Elsa understands the challenges your business faces.  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 established and noteworthy record of service in professional and community organizations. Elsa has donated her time as a volunteer 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 the Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Maryland State Bar Association Estate & Trusts Section.   Over the years, attorney Elsa W. Smith has been a guest on radio, television and internet programs, and featured in printed publications. Elsa has a YouTube channel dedicated to providing free information on wills, estate planning, probate and business formation topics.  She recently launched a new podcast called “Wills, Women & Wealth with Attorney Elsa W. Smith,” available on Apple, Spotify and Google podcasts.

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 (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

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)

How May We Help You?