Shakierah Smith, Esq.

Attorney Profile

Partner

A first-generation attorney with a commitment to access, equity, and practical legal counsel for the people and businesses who need it most.

Law School

University at Buffalo School of Law

Undergraduate

Rochester Institute of Technology

Prior Firm

Fried, Frank
Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

Based In

New York, NY

Background

A Path Defined by Purpose

Shakierah Smith came to the law with a clear sense of why it mattered. As a first-generation college student from Rochester, New York, she understood early on that access to good legal counsel was not equally distributed, and she made it her mission to change that, both through the clients she serves and the institutions she has shaped along the way.

She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Rochester Institute of Technology, where she was recognized for academic excellence and received the Center for Public Safety Initiatives’ Excellence in Research Award. Those years also produced real scholarly work: a co-authored, peer-reviewed article published in the Criminal Justice Review that went on to receive the James L. Maddex, Jr. Paper of the Year Award in 2024.

Her research contributions have been formally acknowledged in articles published by Harvard Law & Policy Review, the Columbia Law Review, and the Emory Law Journal, among others.

At the University at Buffalo School of Law, Shakierah did not just study the law, she helped shape the community around it. She was elected as the first-ever Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Editor of the Buffalo Law Review, creating a role that had not previously existed and using it to center more inclusive perspectives within the journal. She also founded the First-Generation Law Students Association during her first year, building a support network for peers who, like her, were navigating law school without a family roadmap for it.

Her judicial internship with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, supported by the Jessica Ortiz ’05 Federal Judicial Fellowship, deepened her appreciation for precision, procedure, and the weight of every legal decision. She was honored at graduation with the Monique E. Emdin Award, given to a graduating student who demonstrates outstanding commitment to community service.

Legal Career

From Big Law to Boutique Practice

After law school, Shakierah joined Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in New York City as an associate focused on complex commercial real estate transactions. During her time there, she also served as a Pro Bono Associate from 2022 through 2025, taking on cases that aligned directly with her values: guiding immigrants through the naturalization process via the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest clinic, assisting tenants with housing cases through Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, and helping clients navigate unemployment appeals through Volunteers of Legal Services.

That combination of high-level transactional experience and hands-on public interest work is what makes Shakierah a natural fit for Smith & Singleton Law LLC. She brings the rigor and precision of large-firm practice alongside a genuine investment in the people she serves.

She also volunteered with the Hospital Elder Life Program in Rochester, providing support and wellness engagement for elderly patients at Highland Hospital, reflecting the same care for the community that runs through everything she does.

At Smith & Singleton

Why This Work Matters

As a partner at Smith & Singleton Law LLC, Shakierah brings her expertise to immigration law, real estate matters, and business law, with a particular focus on clients who are building something, whether that is a life in a new country, a family’s financial stability, or a small business from the ground up.

She approaches every client relationship the same way she approached every clinic case in law school: with patience, thorough preparation, and the understanding that for the person sitting across from her, this is not just a legal matter. It is their life.

Education

Practice Areas

Honors & Recognition

Leadership

Criminal Justice Review, 2024 — for co-authored research on body cameras and adjudication.

Scholarship

Publications & Research

Criminal Justice Review

Body Cameras and Adjudication: Views of Prosecutors and Public Defenders

Robertson, O.N., McCluskey, J.D., Smith, S.S., & Uchida, C.D. (2022). Vol. 49(1), 15–29. Original work published 2024.

Harvard Law & Policy Review

Police Killings as Felony Murder

With Ekow Yankah. 17 Harvard Law & Policy Review (2022). Research assistant acknowledgment.

Columbia Law Review

Disbanding Police Agencies

With Anthony O’Rourke & Rick Su. 121 Columbia Law Review 1327 (2021). Research assistant acknowledgment.

Emory Law Journal

Defunding Police Agencies

With Rick Su & Anthony O’Rourke. 71 Emory Law Journal (2022). Research assistant acknowledgment.

Wolters-Kluwer

Criminal Law: Cases and Materials

With John Kaplan & Robert Weisberg. 8th ed. (2017), 9th ed. (2021). Acknowledged in casebook used in law schools nationwide.

Guiding You Through Every Legal Milestone.

Ready to work with Shakierah? Reach out today and let us help you find the right path forward.

Smith & Singleton Law

Based on 17 reviews

Peter Wang

Jermel is the most reliable, responsible, and professional attorney we have worked with. He treated us as if we were his own family; and spent day and night (yes, he met us one night after 9 pm at his office for an urgent matter). We highly recommend him without any reservations.

Javier El-Hage

Jermel is exactly the kind of lawyer you want in your corner. He brings both top-tier legal training and a practical, business-minded approach. As a NYC real estate brokerage owner (Nieuw Nederlandts Realty LLC), I’ve personally benefited from his advice—he’s helped us reach the next level. His background at one of NYC’s top Big Law real estate firms (Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP) gives him a level of knowledge, experience, and sophistication that truly sets him apart.

Jonah Nagrotsky

Jermel provided exceptional legal services that exceeded my expectations in every respect. From the outset, he demonstrated a deep command of the law, paired with a thoughtful and strategic approach to my matter. He took the time to clearly explain complex issues, ensuring I felt informed and confident at every stage of the process.

What stood out most was Jermel’s responsiveness and professionalism. He was consistently accessible, detail-oriented, and proactive—anticipating challenges before they arose and addressing them with precision. His ability to balance big-picture strategy with meticulous execution is a rare and valuable combination.

Beyond his technical expertise, Jermel brings a strong sense of integrity and genuine care for his clients. It was clear that he was fully invested in achieving the best possible outcome, and his dedication showed in the results he delivered.

I would highly recommend Jermel to anyone seeking high-caliber legal representation. He is an outstanding attorney and a trusted advisor.

Ashé Koran

Every communication with this law firm has been a positive one. Mr. Singleton is a man of his word. It’s good to have a lawyer who is both trustworthy and understanding.

Chanel Powell

Incredible client driven service. Professional, knowledgeable, trustworthy, and delivers fast results. Jermel handled our deed and worked directly with our mortgage company to ensure everything was good to go. He went above and beyond to ensure our needs were met and exceeded our expectations. This firm will definitely be my go to for any services I or my family needs.

Erick Alvarez

It was a pleasure to work with such a professional. Thank you for all your help. Got my family immigration case settle really fast.

Mark Diana

Jermel is a highly skilled and experienced attorney. He is super easy to talk to and can explain the complexities of legal issues in terms that make it easy to understand. Highly recommend Jermel!

Morgan Mitchell

I had a great experience working with JSingleton Law. Jermel provided me with clear, practical advice on one of my properties in Brooklyn and helped resolve everything quickly. He’s professional, easy to talk to, and really knows his stuff when it comes to real estate. Highly recommend!

Laura Medina

Professional and transparent. My experience has been nothing but positive with excellent communication. I have been explained everything in detail to make sure I know what’s going on in my case. It has definitely been a 5 star experience during this confusing and difficult time. Thank you so much.

Jay T

I’ve worked with Jermel for years, and he’s as good as they come. Sharp, responsive, and genuinely invested in his clients.

Whether it’s navigating business contracts or providing strategic guidance, Jermel’s approach is thoughtful, thorough, and always in your best interest. You won’t find many attorneys who combine that level of expertise with such a grounded, client-first attitude. Highly recommend JSingleton Law.