- Attorney Bio

Kerri L. Smith

Partner

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Partner Kerri Smith is a member of Silverman Thompson's real estate group, specializing in commercial and residential real estate for landlords, tenants, business owners, property management companies, and real property owners. Her practice spans development, construction, leasing, and management across various property types. She is a skilled litigator with extensive experience in federal and state courts.

Ms. Smith has significant experience in landlord-tenant law, including issues associated with federal and state subsidies (Section 8, project-based, LIHTC, HOME Program, RAD properties, Supportive Housing for the Elderly, and public housing conversions). She has extensive knowledge and experience in this niche area of real estate law and is constantly informed of and deeply proficient in landlord-tenant law's constant local, state, and federal changes to best serve her clients.

Ms. Smith also has experience in mediating and litigating buyer-seller disputes, property rights of commercial and residential landowners, construction claims, and other issues that arise in the ownership, operation, and use of real property.

Ms. Smith is known by her clients and throughout the legal community as organized, prepared, and reliable. Over her tenure as a Maryland real estate attorney, she has developed excellent rapport with many judges, courthouse staff, and other attorneys, and she is frequently called upon to provide advice and guidance on questions involving landlord-tenant law.

Ms. Smith is very active in the local and legal community and has been involved with local, state, and national bar associations for over 10 years, developing strong relationships with the Maryland legal community. She serves in numerous leadership roles for the Bar Association of Baltimore City, Maryland State Bar Association, and American Bar Association.

A consistent recipient of legal and community-based awards and recognition, Ms. Smith was notably named one of Maryland's Top 100 Women by the Daily Record in 2021 and 2025, which recognizes high-achieving Maryland women who are making an impact through their leadership, community service, and mentoring. In 2023, she was named one of the Top 40 Young Lawyers in the nation by the American Bar Association, recognizing young lawyers who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal and community service.

Ms. Smith graduated magna cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2012 where she was Senior Staff on the University of Baltimore Law Review and served as a Research Assistant preparing an administrative law textbook for publication. Ms. Smith was also a Judicial Intern for the Honorable Joseph F. Murphy Jr. in 2010 while Judge Murphy sat on the Court of Appeals of Maryland.

Ms. Smith has been with Silverman Thompson for her legal career, rising from a law clerk to an associate, to a partner in 2025, where she leads the firm's community service initiatives and the Silverman Thompson Women's Legal Network alongside her robust real estate practice.

"Kerri has been with the firm her entire legal career. She is conscientious and dependable both in her service to her clients and in public service. She is a master of her craft and uniquely dependable." — Steven D. Silverman, Managing Partner

Assistant

• Davonda Heyward
• 410.385.2225
• dheyward@silvermanthompson.com

Government Service

• Board of Trustees of the Office of the Public Defender, 2024-2027
• Judicial Intern, Hon. Joseph F. Murphy Jr., Court of Appeals of Maryland, 2010

Honors and Awards

• Maryland's Top 100 Women, The Daily Record, 2021, 2025
• Maryland Super Lawyers - Rising Star, Real Estate, 2022-2026
• Top Lawyers, Baltimore Magazine, 2026
• Society of Distinguished Alumni Award, St. Mary's College of Maryland Alumni Council, 2025
• Edward F. Shea, Jr. Professionalism Award, Maryland Bar Foundation, 2024
• On the Rise - Top 40 Young Lawyers, American Bar Association, 2023
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Litigation - Real Estate; Administrative/Regulatory Law, Real Estate, 2022-2026
• Presidential Award, Bar Association of Baltimore City, 2019
• Sustained Leadership Award, Young Lawyers' Division of the Bar Association of Baltimore City, 2018
• Leadership in Law - Generation J.D. Award, The Daily Record, 2018
• Rising Star, Living Classrooms Foundation, 2013