Mariel Smith

Mariel Smith is a seasoned attorney with a focus on Labor & Employment Law. Based in Columbus, Georgia, she has a proven track record in defending companies against claims related to wage and hour disputes, discrimination, and harassment. Her expertise extends to prelitigation investigations with entities such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Labor, Georgia Department of Labor, and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Additionally, she represents clients in mediation and assists with workplace internal investigations and workforce reductions.

Mrs. Smith began her tenure at HBS in 2011, following her roles as a Superior Court Judicial law clerk and Assistant District Counsel for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. During her early years at HBS, she also served as an Associate Magistrate Judge for Muscogee County, presiding over various civil and criminal matters, including truancy hearings and warrant applications.

In 2017, Mrs. Smith transitioned to the role of General Counsel for a global manufacturing company, where she managed complex litigation, including product liability, patent infringement, and trade secret theft cases. She was responsible for maintaining the company's trademark and patent portfolio and developed substantial experience in negotiating agreements with major multinational retail corporations. Her tenure included international negotiations related to operations and procurement in the manufacturing industry.

Mrs. Smith possesses distinctive expertise in Consumer Law, focusing on eCommerce, business compliance, consumer privacy laws, packaging, and labeling. She returned to HBS in 2019, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience.