Are You an Outlaw? Meet Danielle Smith

Who has redefined what it means to think outside of the law (AKA Outlaw) and is helping each of us in the process?

Meet Danielle Smith. As Director of Baker Women, Baker Donelson’s award-winning Women’s Initiative, Danielle is dedicated to advancing women and supporting working parents in the legal industry.

Danielle began her career in health care marketing before transitioning to legal marketing in 2012 as Marketing Manager at Burr & Forman. Over nearly nine years, she led firm-wide marketing and communications, managing two mergers, multiple office expansions, and a growing attorney roster. Promoted to Director of Marketing, she also took on the role of Diversity Committee Administrator in 2018, where she discovered her passion for DEI. During the pandemic, she launched the firm’s first virtual diversity pre-law program, creating an online learning platform for 40+ students nationwide.

Earning a DEI Certification from Cornell University, Danielle saw an opportunity to focus on equity-driven initiatives and, in 2020, became Baker Donelson’s first Women’s Initiative Manager. Over the past four years, she has built industry-leading programs that empower women to define success on their own terms, achieve equity status, grow their business, and develop as future leaders.

Danielle has held numerous leadership roles in several legal industry organizations. She currently serves on the International Board of Directors for the Legal Marketing Association (LMA), where she previously led as president of the Southeast Region in 2020. Additionally, she is the co-chair of the Trusted Advisor Committee for the Professional Development Consortium (PDC).

Enjoy getting to know this month's Outlaw, Danielle Smith!

Q: With what firm or company do you work?

A: Baker Donelson

Q: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

A: Meetings with no agenda; Complacency.

Q: Where would you like to live?

A: Somewhere it snows regularly during the winter to have fun and build snowmen, but not so much that you need to buy a snowplow.

Q: What is your idea of happiness?

A: Soaking in the small moments, whether that's reading a good book alone on the beach, a pizza party with my family, or watching Frozen for the 1,000th time with my toddler, those are the moments where I know I'm truly blessed.

Q: Who is your real-life hero?

A: My dad - he's such a hard worker. Growing up, he always told me how much he believed in me and that I could do anything I put my mind to.

Q: What is your motto?

A: "Be Bold"

Q: What is your greatest fear?

A: Now that I have two daughters, my greatest fear is them growing up not knowing how amazing and strong they are.

Q: To what faults do you feel most indulgent?

A: I don't think it's a "fault," but I unwind by watching trash reality TV.

Q: "If I could have one super-power it would be..."

A: Time travel - not so I could change what I've done, but to relive special moments.

Q: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

A: The Late Queen Elizabeth II...I need her to spill some tea…

Q: Who or what got you into working in the legal industry?

A: Erin Meszaros - she hired me in my first legal marketing job and introduced me to the world of LMA.

Q: What is your current state of mind?

A: Due to the current political landscape, as someone who fully manages a Women's Initiative, my current state of mind is apprehension with a dose of anxiety, while hanging tight to optimism.

Q: Your favorite virtue?

A: HONESTY, even when it's hard to hear.

Q: "If I won the lottery tomorrow I would..."

A: Buy a nice lake house and boat - being on the water is my happy place.

Q: Who would you have liked to be?

A: More confident in myself early in my career.