Jennifer Grace Smyrnos

Curriculum Vitae

[email protected] • Available for remote opportunities

Professional Summary

Attorney and public-interest professional with experience in immigration law, access-to-justice initiatives, nonprofit governance, and legal education. Background includes law practice leadership, board service, published writing, and extensive public speaking.

Education

Washington & Lee University School of Law

Lexington, Virginia

Juris Doctor

• Vice President, Latin American Law Student Association
• Student Attorney, Immigration Law Clinic
• Vice Chair, Moot Court Program

University of California, Davis

Davis, California

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (Law Emphasis) and Communication

Both degrees awarded with Honors

• Professional Chair, Phi Alpha Delta
• Research Assistant, gender communication strategies in diverse communities

Professional Experience

Founder & Principal Attorney (Former)

Grace Immigration PLLC

• Established and led an immigration law practice serving individuals and families
• Focused on family-based immigration and humanitarian protections
• Provided client counseling, legal analysis, and case strategy
• Engaged in community education and professional speaking

Leadership, Governance & Service

• Board Member, Blue Ridge Literacy Board of Directors

• Member, TAP Domestic Violence Services Advisory Commission

• Member, Virginia State Bar Special Committee on Access to Legal Services

• Chair, Social Media Subcommittee, VSB Special Committee on Access to Legal Services

• Member, Virginia State Bar Special Committee on Technology and the Practice of Law

Speaking, Presentations & Panels (Selected)

Immigration Law & Policy

• Immigration Law Overview, Virginia Institute for Lifelong Learning, Radford University

• Overview of the U.S. Immigration System, Annual Bonner Congress, Washington & Lee University

• U.S. Immigration: Exploring Avenues for Legal Status and the Great Immigration Debate, Virginia Tech

Humanitarian & Survivor-Centered Topics

• T Visas, U Visas, and the Violence Against Women Act, Total Action for Progress

• Law Enforcement and the Immigrant Community, Family Violence Coordinating Council Conference

• Notario Fraud and Immigration Consequences, Regional Immigration Community Meeting

Ethics, Access to Justice & Professional Responsibility

• Ethical Considerations in Pro Bono Practice, Virginia State Bar National Pro Bono Celebration

• Social Justice Issues in Immigration Law, Bonner Program, Washington & Lee University

Panel Discussions

• Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession, Lara D. Gass Women in Law Symposium

• GPS Your Purpose, Summit on Social Impact Careers, Washington & Lee University

Publications

• On the Horizon: Bridging the Justice Gap with Web-Based Solutions, Virginia Lawyer Magazine

• Access to Legal Justice 2.0, Virginia Lawyer Magazine

Professional Memberships & Affiliations

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (Member)

• Roanoke Bar Association (Member)

• Virginia Women Attorneys Association, Roanoke Chapter (Past President)

• Virginia Women Attorneys Association (Past Director at Large; Communications Committee Chair)

Areas of Expertise

• U.S. immigration law and policy

• Humanitarian and family-based immigration frameworks

• Access to justice initiatives

• Technology and innovation in legal services

• Professional ethics and responsibility

• Domestic violence–related legal advocacy

• Public education and legal training

For inquiries or to request additional materials

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