Kelly Podger Smith

Senior Associate Dean

Work
(919) 962-6719

Biography

Kelly Podger Smith is Senior Associate Dean.  She oversees the Career Development, Communications and Continuing Legal Education Offices. Dean Smith is a proud double Tar Heel. After law school, she practiced law as litigator with Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P. She returned to UNC School of Law in 2005 serving first as the Director of Student Activities and then as the Assistant Dean of Student Services. In 2011, Dean Smith returned to her law firm to serve as the inaugural Director of Professional Development. In that role, she oversaw the firm’s recruiting efforts, diversity initiatives and lawyer training programs. Dean Smith came home to Carolina Law in 2015 to serve in her current role.

Education

  • J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2002)
  • B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1996)