Jennifer M. Smith, a full professor, joined the Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University College of Law faculty in 2004, following an extensive career in complex litigation in the corporate sector. Professor Smith brings her expertise to the classroom, teaching a range of courses including first-year Civil Procedure, Electronic Discovery, and other advanced subjects. She also founded two law clinics at the law school: Real Estate and Housing. Her scholarly contributions have garnered recognition, with her works published in esteemed publications and cited by federal and state judges, as well as fellow scholars.

Prior to her academic tenure, Professor Smith achieved significant milestones at Holland & Knight LLP, where she rose to become a partner and the youngest department chair. Her performance as the head of the South Florida Health Law Group led to a performance-based bonus. She practiced in both the Washington, D.C. and Miami offices. During her earlier tenure, she earned a performance-based bonus and recognition as an "extraordinary associate" by the firm for her exceptional litigation skills, which helped her build a strong client base and establish herself as a skilled litigator with impressive advocacy and trial abilities. While an associate, Professor Smith took a three-month leave of absence from the firm to volunteer at the Legal Resources Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa in the areas of unfair labor practices, housing development and land ownership, abuse of power by public officials, and creditor abuse. 

Professor Smith was the brainchild and founding chair of the Washington Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division; associate general counsel of the National Bar Association; former officer/board member of the Washington Bar Association; former treasurer of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia, Young Lawyers Section; and former district 7 representative for the American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division. Professor Smith's unwavering commitment to upholding the rights of individuals earned her recognition within the community. She was recognized by Ebony Magazine as a “Leader of Tomorrow” in its 50th Anniversary edition and as “Young Lawyer of the Year” by the Washington Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division several years after its founding. 

Before joining the firm, Professor Smith served as a federal judicial law clerk to the Honorable Joseph W. Hatchett on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Professor Smith earned her B.S. from Hampton University and her law degree from the University of Miami School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Florida, Maryland, Washington, D.C., several federal district and circuit courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

As an academic activist, Professor Smith has been responsible for obtaining fairer pay, leadership equity, and promotions for women law faculty and others through strategic litigation, specifically resulting in up to $23,000 individual salary increases for women faculty.