OUR FIRM

Smith Law is a woman-owned firm providing top-tier legal services ​to employees and small employers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. With more than fifteen years of experience in the field, we bring a pragmatic and empathetic approach to resolving your difficult employment problems. Whether you're an employee who has experienced discrimination or retaliation, a small business seeking outside employment counsel, or a law firm needing to outsource research and writing services, Smith Law is here to help. 

We believe good legal advice shouldn't be slow, expensive, or hard to access — especially when you're facing a decision with a deadline. That's why we offer a suite of flat-fee services for your time-sensitive employment needs. Severance agreements, employment contracts, and non-competes often show up with only days to respond, and open-ended hourly billing only adds to the pressure. With Smith Law, you know the cost before you start, get answers on a timeline that matches your situation, and get the same caliber of advice you'd expect from a big city firm — without the big city firm's price tag or runaround.

Smith Law has a reputation for being tough, honest, and hardworking, with the close, personal touch of a small firm. We are  committed to connecting with our clients to find solutions that work for their lives and careers, and to making sure cost and speed are never the reason someone goes without solid legal advice when they need it most.

BONNIE SMITH 
​Lead Attorney

Bonnie is a skilled lawyer with extensive experience and success in all stages of litigation, from motion practice to trial and appeals. A savvy advisor and negotiator, she has secured numerous favorable settlements for her clients over the years. This background informs Bonnie's flat-fee consultations, allowing her to identify risks and give clients practical advice on severance agreements, employment contracts, and other employment issues. 

An advocate for equality and progress, Bonnie enjoys working on behalf of historically underrepresented populations, including Black employees, women and mothers in the workplace, and minority and female business owners. 

​Bonnie has been selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine multiple times, a distinction given to less than 2.5% of attorneys in Minnesota. She has also been selected as one of the Top Women Lawyers in Minnesota, and was identified as one of the 25 best employment lawyers in Minnesota by Expertise.com. She is a member of the WorkLife Attorney Law Network, an advocacy and research organization close to heart that seeks to advance racial and gender equity by strengthening legal rights for pregnant people and caregivers. ​​

​​Bonnie was born in Maine but made Minneapolis her home in 2010. She loves the city for its small but mighty size, thriving cultural and sports scene, and dedication to public parks. Bonnie volunteers in her community as a youth sports coach and board member of her neighborhood association. A former college basketball player, she continues to play basketball and softball as often as her hamstrings allow. She lives in South Minneapolis with her husband and their three rambunctious kids.

ADMISSIONS

• Minnesota Supreme Court
• Wisconsin Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court – District of Minnesota
• U.S. District Court – Western District of Wisconsin
• ​Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

EDUCATION

• J.D., University of Wisconsin, cum laude
• B.A., Political Science, Yale University

Bonnie M. Smith

Rated by Super Lawyers


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Bonnie and her husband like to escape to the Boundary Waters every summer for a few days. Here is Bonnie taking in the view, shortly before the wind started blowing and whitecaps nearly capsized their canoe:

Media

• "Ramsey County board approves $1.4 million discrimination suit settlement with jail employees," from MPR News, 8/9/2022
• "Ramsey County jail officers of color barred from guarding Derek Chauvin win $1.46 million settlement," from StarTribune, 8/9/2022
• "$1.5 million settlement approved for Minnesota minority officers who were barred from guarding Derek Chauvin," from NBC News, 8/9/2022
• "Nearly $1.5 million settlement approved for correctional officers of color who were barred from guarding Derek Chauvin," from CNN, 8/9/2022
• "$1.5M settlement approved for correctional officers of color prohibited from guarding Derek Chauvin," from CBS News, 8/9/2022
• "Minnesota county settles with minority officers blocked from Chauvin," from Washington Post, 8/9/2022
• "Officers win $1.4M in discrimination suit over guarding Derek Chauvin," from Axios, 8/9/2022
• "8 corrections officers who were barred from guarding Derek Chauvin get $1.5M settlement," from USA Today, 8/10/2022​

• "Discrimination Charges Allege Officers of Color Barred from Guarding Chauvin" from MSNBC, 6/23/2020

ROBERT MARTIN 
Administrative Coordinator

Robert handles bookkeeping, website development, and other administrative duties. Robert is a musician and a writer, and also loves the outdoors. 

EDUCATION

• MA, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• BA, University of Montana

CONTACT SMITH LAW

If you're an employee or former employee suffering from discrimination or retaliation; a small businesses owner seeking assistance with employee handbooks, policy and form drafting and review, employment counseling, or internal investigations; or an employment law firm seeking experienced legal support, Smith Law is here to help. 

EMAIL SMITH LAW