Silverman Thompson is proud to announce that Partner Kerri L. Smith has been recognized by the University of Baltimore School of Law’s Baltimore Law magazine as a “Rising Star in the Baltimore Legal Community.” 

The feature highlights Kerri Smith’s exceptional professional achievements, leadership, and service within the legal community. An alumna of the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she earned her J.D. magna cum laude in 2012, Kerri has built a distinguished career in real estate law and litigation at Silverman Thompson over the last 14 years, where she was recently named partner. 

Kerri’s practice spans a wide range of commercial and residential real estate matters, with a particular focus on landlord-tenant law. Known for her dynamic litigation style, she regularly appears in courts at all levels, combining strategic advocacy with a deep understanding of evolving legal frameworks. 

Beyond her legal practice, Ms. Smith has earned widespread recognition for her leadership and service. She has been named one of the American Bar Association’s Top 40 Young Lawyers, received the Maryland Bar Foundation’s Edward F. Shea, Jr. Professionalism Award, and currently serves as President of the Baltimore Bar Foundation. She was also recently appointed by the governor to the Board of Trustees for the Office of the Public Defender. 

Colleagues and peers consistently praise Ms. Smith’s energy, dedication, and collaborative spirit. As noted in the profile, she is widely regarded as a driven leader who brings both professionalism and enthusiasm to every endeavor. 

Kerri also leads the firm’s community service initiatives and its Women’s Legal Network, fostering mentorship, professional growth, and meaningful engagement both within and beyond the firm. 

It’s an honor to be featured by the University of Baltimore School of Law and reflect on my journey from UB to Silverman Thompson, and the people and experiences that have guided me along the way.  – Kerri Smith

We congratulate Kerri on this well-deserved recognition from her alma mater, and are proud to celebrate her continued impact on our firm and the broader Baltimore legal community. 

After years of leadership within the Bar Association of Baltimore City and dedication to the Baltimore community, her appointment marks the next step in her future of public service. 

Learn more about Kerri’s community initiatives at Silverman Thompson 

At Silverman Thompson, Kerri represents clients in complex commercial and residential real estate cases and has expertise in federal affordable housing programs. Beyond her thriving legal practice, Kerri has long been a visible and active leader in Baltimore’s legal community. 

She has held numerous roles with the Baltimore Bar Foundation since 2017, and her leadership journey reflects a deep commitment to the foundation’s mission: supporting nonprofit programs in Baltimore City and advancing the legal community. 

Kerri’s service extends far beyond her work with the Baltimore Bar Foundation. She has served as Chair of the Young Lawyers’ Division of the Bar Association of Baltimore City and Chair of the Young Lawyers Section of the Maryland State Bar Association, where she carried out several community service initiatives such as an inaugural Pro Bono Small Business Clinic, expansion of a Middle School Mock Trial Program with Baltimore City Public Schools, and a charity event benefitting Athletes Serving Athletes that raised over $15,000 for the organization.  

Additionally, Kerri is currently the co-chair of the Bar Association of Baltimore City’s National Adoption Day Committee, which is part of a national effort to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families; a volunteer with the Human Trafficking Prevention Project in conjunction with Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service; and serves on the board of trustees for the Office of the Public Defender.  

Reflecting on her path, Kerri notes that the most meaningful contributions often start small. “Supporting public service doesn’t have to mean a huge time commitment,” she shared in her Baltimore Barrister profile. “It can begin with taking on a pro bono case, mentoring a law student or young lawyer […] or volunteering at one of the service projects organized by the Bar Association of Baltimore City.” 

“But, most importantly, don’t underestimate the impact of showing up consistently.”

Now, as president of the Baltimore Bar Foundation, Kerri looks forward to deepening the Foundation’s impact through grants and partnerships that empower nonprofits across the city. Drawing on her years of experience and strong community relationships, she is poised to continue building bridges between the legal profession and the people it serves. 

Congratulations to Kerri Smith on this well-deserved honor and for continuing to exemplify Silverman Thompson’s commitment to leadership and service for both her clients and the greater community.  

At Silverman Thompson, Kerri leads the firm’s community service initiatives and our Women’s Legal Network. Learn more about both programs below: 

Please reach out to Kerri Smith at ksmith@silvermanthompson.com with any questions about her real estate practice or community involvement. 

Ms. Smith’s journey with Silverman Thompson is a testament to her unwavering dedication and exceptional legal acumen, where she began her journey as a law clerk and has most recently been named a partner of the firm. Throughout her tenure, Kerri Smith has specialized in both commercial and residential real estate, representing a diverse clientele that includes landlords, commercial tenants, business owners, property management companies, and property owners.  

“The 2025 Maryland’s Top 100 Women are leading companies, creating change, breaking barriers and charting new territory. They are leaders who make a difference in their communities and also mentor and inspire future leaders toward success,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of The Daily Record/BridgeTower Media. 

Beyond her legal practice, Ms. Smith has been instrumental in leading our firm’s community service initiatives. Her commitment to public service is evident through her active involvement in local, state, and national bar associations for over a decade. She has held numerous leadership roles within the Bar Association of Baltimore City, Maryland State Bar Association, and American Bar Association. This dedication not only enhances our firm’s community engagement but also fosters a culture of mentorship and service among her colleagues. 

Kerri Smith’s contributions have been consistently recognized within the legal community. In 2021, she was first honored as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by The Daily Record, underscoring her impact through leadership, community service, and mentoring. Her commitment to professionalism was further acknowledged in 2024 when she received the Edward F. Shea, Jr. Professionalism Award from the Maryland Bar Foundation. Additionally, in 2023, the American Bar Association recognized her as one of the Top 40 Young Lawyers in the nation, highlighting her broad range of achievements, innovation, vision, leadership, and service.  

Reflecting on Ms. Smith’s journey, Managing Partner Steven D. Silverman remarked, “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.” This sentiment encapsulates the high regard in which she is held within our firm and the broader legal community. 

The Maryland’s Top 100 Women award, now in its 30th year, celebrates women who have made outstanding achievements through professional accomplishments, community leadership, and mentoring. The 2025 honorees will be celebrated at an awards ceremony on May 5, 2025, at the Towson University Arena. 

We are immensely proud to have Kerri Smith as a partner at Silverman Thompson and look forward to her continued contributions to our firm and the broader community. 

In partnership with the Maryland State Bar Association – MSBA, the Maryland Bar Foundation considers a reputation of professionalism, contributions of time and resources to public service or charitable activities, encouragement of other lawyers to develop and maintain their knowledge of the law and proficiency in practice, and demonstration of a high degree of courtesy, personal dignity, and professional integrity.

“Incoming Maryland Bar Foundation President Carl Isler introduced Smith, lauding her as thoughtful, considerate and a great advocate for her clients.” -The Daily Record

MD Bar Foundation presents awards, announces class of fellows

Baltimore attorney and past president of the MSBA Edward F. Shea, Jr., exemplified professionalism, civility, integrity, compassion, and commitment to public service. Since 1996, the Maryland Bar Foundation has honored his memory and impact on the legal profession by awarding the Shea Award to attorneys who embody the same ideals.

Kerri Smith is a member of the Firm’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 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. Additionally, She serves in numerous leadership roles for the Bar Association of Baltimore City, Maryland State Bar Association, and American Bar Association.
Kerri Smith receives the Edward F. Shea, Jr. Professionalism Award at the Maryland Bar Foundation’s annual meeting.

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, which recognizes high-achieving Maryland women who are making an impact through their leadership, community service, and mentoring. Additionally, 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.

The case involved a complicated land dispute related to a barn built by plaintiffs that significantly encroached on property purchased by Firm client. In their lawsuit filed in 2022, plaintiffs alleged over $100,000 in alleged damages, dated back to 2016, and requested that the Court declare plaintiffs the legal owners of the barn.

The plaintiffs filed suit against the Firm’s client under seven counts, specifically: (1) temporary restraining order and preliminary injunctive relief, (2) declaratory judgment, (3) trespass to possessory interest, (4) trespass to chattels, (5) quiet title, (6) possession of property, and (7) conversion. Bill Sinclair, Avery Strachan, Kerri Smith, and Erin Brooks handled the case for the Firm, filing a Motion to Dismiss all claims alleged by plaintiffs.

On November 2, 2023, Kerri Smith argued the Firm’s Motion to Dismiss in front of the Honorable Judge Mary Kramer in the Circuit Court for Howard County. After the matter was held sub curia, Judge Kramer ruled in favor of the Firm’s argument that the three-year statute of limitations articulated in Section 5-101 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article barred all seven of plaintiffs’ claims, and dismissed plaintiffs’ entire First Amended Verified Complaint with prejudice. A copy of the opinion is here.

The Silverman Thompson real estate litigation department is well-versed in land disputes and defending claims for injunctive, declaratory, and compensatory relief. To find out more about how we might be able to help you, please click on the hyperlinks above to see the attorneys who handled this matter.