R. Amani Smathers Email & Phone Number

I teach courses in the Center for Law, Technology & Innovation (CLTI; formerly Legal RnD / ReInvent Law) curriculum at MSU College of Law.https://www.law.msu.edu/lawtech/Spring 2022, 2023, 2024: "Delivering Legal Services: New Legal Landscape"Fall 2021: "Entrepreneurial Lawyering"Spring 2021: "Delivering Legal Services: New Legal Landscape" (Co-taught with.

• Started and grew a document assembly engagement in which we automated 100s of contract templates to help legal departments simplify, streamline, and scale their contracting processes. Hired, trained, and managed four.
• Served as lead business analyst and product manager for technical teams developing custom applications. Translated between… Show more
• Served as lead business analyst and product manager for technical teams developing custom applications. Translated between technical personnel and legal team end users. Trained end users and promoted adoption of new.
• Designed processes, tracking tools, and regular metrics reporting to ensure the success of a new high-volume workstream and expansion to additional clients.
• Promoted innovation at DWT through firm presentations, client meetings, and speaking engagements. Show less

Chicago, IL

• As an Associate Legal Solutions Architect, I worked closely with clients, attorneys, and multidisciplinary teams to design and implement solutions for legal operations and law practice management challenges.Projects.
• Serving as a product owner for software tools built in-house; managing product development and maintenance
• Document automation: creating and maintaining Contract Express templates used to produce 1000s of legal documents
• Designing and building… Show more As an Associate Legal Solutions Architect, I worked closely with clients, attorneys, and multidisciplinary teams to design and implement solutions for legal operations and law practice.
• Designing and building client-facing sites, databases, and visual metrics in Microsoft SharePoint; working directly with clients and attorneys to implement solutions that solve their operations challenges
• Designing and building decision support applications, such as tools for analyzing and managing outside counsel relationships and contract request intake

East Lansing, MI

• Collaborated with Professors Daniel Martin Katz and Renee Knake to grow their ReInvent Law program at MSU Law.In this fellowship position, I was responsible for:
• organizing the ReInvent Law NYC 2014 and London 2014 conferences (During law school, I also helped organize the ReInvent Law Silicon Valley 2013 and ReInvent Law London 2013 conferences)
• growing and managing relationships with legal tech companies and organizations across the country and abroad
• providing… Show more Collaborated with Professors Daniel Martin Katz and Renee Knake to grow their ReInvent Law program at MSU Law.In this fellowship position, I was responsible for:
• providing mentorship to ReInvent Law students
• guest lecturing in "Lawyer Ethics and Regulation in a Technology-Driven World" course

East Lansing, Michigan

• Provided transactional services to clinic clients under the guidance of a supervising attorney.
• Drafted contracts and non-profit bylaws; assisted clients with business formation; filed for federal trademark protection; and prepared federal copyright registration applications.
• Filed a federal copyright submission for a sound recording (musical composition and performance)
• Received a limited recognition number to practice trademark matters before the USPTO.
• Filed… Show more
• Filed trademark forms including an Intent to Use application, a Statement of Use, Post Publication Amendments; drafted an Answer to Opposition.Spring 2013: Student clinicianFall 2013: Volunteer clinician, 1 day/week.

Researched Michigan criminal procedure law to provide supplemental material to course previously focused on U.S. Supreme Court and appellate precedents.

Palo Alto, CA

• LegalForce is creating a new concept in legal services. In February 2013, it will open a retail store on University Avenue in Palo Alto, combining elements of a bookstore (primarily legal self help, self improvement.
• Coordinating preparations for… Show more LegalForce is creating a new concept in legal services. In February 2013, it will open a retail store on University Avenue in Palo Alto, combining elements of a bookstore.
• Coordinating preparations for the opening of LegalForce’s new Palo Alto store; working with the branding company and architect to coordinate the physical creation of the store.
• Researching law and logistics of mobile apps that simplify obtaining passports and getting married.
• Drafting promotional materials, performing outreach to target firms, and helping create the framework for a network of independent solo and small law firms under the LegalForce brand. Show less

Farmington Hills, Michigan

• Law Clerk - Title Department
• Identified title issues such as senior mortgages, legal description errors, missing deeds (break in chain), etc.
• Worked with attorneys, tax assessors, and clients to resolve title issues.
• Drafted insurance claim letters and communicated with corporate clients.
• Became skilled at sketching legal descriptions of real property to show what land was included on a deed or mortgage.

Lansing, Michigan Area

• Internship for credit at the Research Division of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Wrote pre-hearing research reports and recommended opinions for use by appellate judges;
• synthesized relevant facts from case records and parties’ briefs,
• summarized arguments,
• conducted independent legal research and analysis,
• prepared research reports and recommended opinions.

Portland, Oregon

Assisted with efforts in the Oregon state legislature and Public Utilities Commission relating to ratepayer interests, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Also updated the organization's website and wrote blog articles.

Columbus, Ohio Area

Interned for the Deputy City Manager - Economic Development. Copyedited legal documents relating to city tax incentives, tracked city tax incentives using Excel, assisted with constituent casework in the City Manager’s office, and completed various office tasks.

Jd

HONORS: • Top 10 class rank • Jurisprudence Achievement Awards for academic excellence in Property; Evidence; Land Use Planning; and Legal.

Education record

Project Management Course, Spring 2014

Ba, Economics And Political Science

HONORS: • Magna Cum Laude • Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society, Tufts Chapter Member ACTIVITIES: • TCU Senate.

Education record

Semester Abroad at the University of Jordan in Amman through CIEE. Studied MSA and colloquial Arabic, Middle Eastern international.