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Danielle Smith*

Baker Women Director

Danielle Smith is the Baker Women director at Baker Donelson, where she leads the Firm's award-winning women's initiative dedicated to advancing, developing, and supporting women attorneys and advisors. In this role, she works closely with Firm leadership, practice groups, and office leaders to develop strategic programs focused on leadership development, business development, mentoring, recruitment, retention, and client engagement. She also oversees the execution of Baker Women's strategic initiatives and brand, client programming, and cross-functional collaborations that align with the Firm's commitment to professional growth and inclusive excellence.

Overview


  • Cornell University, DEI Certification, 2019
  • University of Alabama, B.A. in Communications, 2007
  • University of Alabama, B.A. in Graphic Design, 2007

With nearly 15 years of experience in legal marketing, business development, communications, and attorney development, Danielle brings a relationship-driven approach to building programs that strengthen both professional careers and client connections. She is particularly passionate about creating opportunities that help attorneys and legal business professionals expand their networks, develop leadership skills, and create their own unique successful career paths. Her work frequently involves designing innovative programming, facilitating mentoring support, and creating new ways to support working parents at the Firm.

Danielle works closely with attorneys, clients, and Firm leaders to create meaningful engagement opportunities, including client advisory boards, leadership institutes, mentoring programs, and professional development initiatives. She is also deeply involved in efforts across the Firm to strengthen attorney recruitment and retention, advance leadership pathways, and create new policies and benefits.

Beyond Baker Donelson, Danielle is an active leader in the legal industry. She serves on the International Board of Directors of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) and has held numerous leadership positions within the organization. She is also involved in the Professional Development Consortium (PDC), where she serves on the Programming Committee and chairs the Trusted Advisor Committee. She is a frequent speaker on topics including personal advocacy, communication, leadership development, mentoring, culture, relationship-building, and helping professionals navigate the unwritten rules of career growth.

  • Member – National Association of Women Lawyers (2023 – present)
    • Programming Committee (2024)
  • Member – Professional Development Consortium (PDC)
    • Co-chair, Trusted Advisor Committee (2025 – present)
  • Member – Legal Marketing Association (LMA)
    • International Board of Directors (2024 – present)
    • Co-chair, Allies Member Resource Group (2025 – present)
    • Board of Directors, Southeast Region (2017 – 2021)
    • Past President, Southeast Region (2020)
  • Board Member – O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center (2018 – 2024)
    • Co-chair, Communications Committee (2022 – 2023)
  • "Set the Pace: Building a Mentoring Program into a Scalable Business Development Engine," Legal Marketing Association Tech West by Southwest Conference (2026)
  • "Brave, Bold and Branded: How to Champion Yourself and Your Career," Professional Development Consortium Annual Conference (2026)
  • "What My Toddler Has Taught Me About Law Firm Communication," Legal Marketing Association Tech West by Southwest Conference (2025)
  • "What My Toddler Has Taught Me About Law Firm Communication," Professional Development Consortium, webinar (2025)
  • "Squeezing the Lemon: Using Your Own People to Create Top Notch Programming," National Association of Legal Placement (NALP) Professional Development Institute (2024)
  • "Using Your Own Circle of Influence to Become a DEI Champion," Legal Marketing Association Southeast Regional Conference (2023)
  • "How to Support Women in Today's Legal World," Legal Marketing Association Southeast Regional Conference (2022)

Disclaimer

*

Baker Donelson professional not admitted to the practice of law.

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