Elizabeth “Booka” Smith graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bowdoin College in 1990 and went on to receive her J.D. from Cornell University in 1995.  Since earning her law degree, Ms. Smith has represented and advised a wide variety of clients in the areas of commercial litigation, general civil litigation and employment law and litigation.  As a litigator, Ms. Smith has made frequent appearances in federal and state courts, in arbitration and mediation, and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  Ms. Smith has also participated in numerous jury and bench trials as second chair and has tried several cases on her own as lead counsel, all ending in victories for the client.  Ms. Smith has litigated and tried cases in the areas of employment, contract dispute, business torts, real estate, construction, bankrutpcy, personal injury, and products liability.

Ms. Smith is admitted to practice in both Colorado and Massachusetts.

Areas of Practice

• Business and Corporate Litigation
• General Civil Litigation
• Trials, Arbitrations, and Mediations
• Employment Litigation (EEOC, State and Federal Courts)
• Employment Law (Including Management-Side Consulting and Advising, and Internal Investigations)

Publications

• “Documenting Staff Performance”, National Ski Areas Association Journal, February/March 2007, Vol. 15, Issue 1.
• “Job Interviews: What You Can and Can’t Ask – Tips for Minimizing Risk in the Hiring Process”, National Ski Areas Association Journal, August/September 2005, Vol. 13, Issue 4.

Professional Associations

• Colorado Bar Association
• Denver Bar Association
• Colorado Women’s Bar Association
• Colorado Trial Lawyers’ Association

Lectures and Speaking Engagements

• Panelist: National Ski Area Association Sponsored “Managers’ Round Table on Employment Law and Human Resources Issues”; March 7, 2006, Squaw Valley, California.
• Lecturer: “Employment Law Overview: Tips for Minimizing Risk in Hiring and Other Employment Processes”; August 17, 2005, The Rietz Law Firm, Dillon, Colorado.

In addition, Ms. Smith has conducted numerous in-house employment law lectures and seminars for existing clients. Topics covered include a wide variety of employment law issues.

Bar Admissions

• Massachusetts, 1996
• Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1997
• Colorado, 1999
• United States District Court for the District of Colorado, 1999

Education

• National Institute of Trial Advocacy, 2003
• Cornell Law School, J.D., 1995
• Bowdoin College, B.A., Magna Cum Laude, 1990