Helen C. Smith

I retired after 33 years of federal public service in the practice of law. This included 13 years as a General Crimes AUSA/prosecutor; 12 years as a General Civil AUSA; and 8 years as a Senior Staff Attorney for the IRS Office of Chief Counsel.
My federal practice was highly diverse. I prosecuted more than 400 individuals for crimes including drugs, sex, fraud, immigration, tax evasion, human trafficking, child pornography, kidnapping, carjacking, and other offenses. I am highly skilled in sentencing guidelines and mitigation, oral and written advocacy, negotiation, and case management. I am able to understand, organize, and manage massive quantities of facts and data. I am highly experienced in the use of courtroom technology, law enforcement investigative techniques, and the United States Probation Office procedures.
As a civil AUSA, I represented many federal agencies including the Postal Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Departments of Agriculture, Labor, Treasury, and Commerce in defensive and affirmative litigation.
I have an extensive trial record as a civil and criminal AUSA, with numerous jury trials and bench trials. I have extensive federal appellate experience, oral and written.
My practice is currently limited to federal courts.

University of Tennessee College of Law

J.D. (1983) | Law

1980 - 1983

Rhodes College

B.A. (1978) | International Studies

1974 - 1978

Honors: Graduated with Honors in International Studies.

Assistant United States Attorney

Department of Justice

2006 - 2018

General Crimes Prosecutor

Assistant United States Attorney

United States Department of Justice

1994 - 2006

Civil Assistant United States Attorney

Senior Staff Attorney

Internal Revenue Service Office of Chief Counsel

1983 - 1991

Team Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement

United States Department of Justice

2017

Director's Award for Excellence

United States Department of Justice

1999

North Carolina State Bar  # 53353

Member

Current

North Carolina

North Carolina State Bar

ID Number: 53353

Since 2018

Tennessee

Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee

ID Number: 10639

Since 1983

USDC EN NC

ID Number: NA

Since 2019

6th Circuit

ID Number: NA

Since 1993

• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
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