Genetta Smith graduated the University of District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law in 2006. While in law school, she provided over 400 hours of legal assistance to low-income residents in the areas of whistleblowing, family law, child advocacy, and public benefits.

Thereafter, she started her legal career at the Children’s Law Center (CLC). During her six-years at CLC, Genetta mentored numerous pro bono and court appointed attorneys, co-taught the summer law clerk program, and represented children that were survivors of child abuse and neglect. Her area of expertise and passion was fostering multidisciplinary legal representation to improve the outcomes for teen clients aging out of the child welfare system. Genetta has worked as an Attorney Adviser for the federal government over the past nine years. In this capacity, she ensures that claimants receive fair hearings during disability benefit appeals.

“I am interested in serving on the Amara Legal Center’s Board of Directors because I wholeheartedly believe in the mission. My first exposure to the needs of sex trafficked survivorsoccurred during a case where I represented a teenage girl. Unfortunately, other sex trafficking cases followed. It is important to have a place like Amara where survivors can receive competent and effective legal representation without stigma. Amara’s advocacy such as Vacatur clinics remove legal barriers that prevent clients from succeeding in life. I am honored to serve on the board of an organization that does such meaningful work.”

My law career has focused on protecting the rights of those that have been marginalized, abused, neglected and exploited. During my tenure on the Amara Legal Center Board, I plan to continue this work by raising greater awareness about the horrors of sex trafficking.