Stephanie Corinna Smith

Senior Associate
(415) 395-9331 ext. 320
scsmith@wsmimmigration.com

Ms. Smith has traveled significantly throughout South America, Asia, and Europe. She enjoys the practice of immigration law because it allows her to live in the Bay Area while continuing to meet talented people from all over the world. In 2016, Ms. Smith was named a Rising Star in Northern California by Super Lawyers for excellence in immigration law. She was also named a Future Leader in corporate immigration in 2021 by Who's Who Legal.

Ms. Smith has extensive experience counseling companies and non-profit organizations in obtaining non-immigrant visa status and permanent residency for essential foreign workers. Ms. Smith has particular expertise assisting employers as they hire and retain foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, and business. Ms. Smith is also a licensed marriage and family therapist, and works with lawyers and other professionals in managing anxiety and preventing burn-out.

Education: Vassar College, B.A. International Studies, 2001. University of San Francisco School of Law, J.D., 2006.

Professional Memberships: California Bar Member; Board of Trustee of the American Immigration Council (AIC) (2014-2015); American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA); Advocacy Co-Chair for the AILA Northern California Chapter, 2012 – 2015; ProVisors San Francisco Chapter, 2012 – 2015.

Recent Speaking Engagements:

• 2024: "Non-PERM Immigrant Visas," March WSM Webinar.
• 2023:  "The Impact of Layoffs and a Down Economy on Your Immigration Program," January WSM Webinar
• 2021: Panel speaker, "Competency/Avoiding Burnout" at AILA NorCal CLE Conference (virtual), January.
• 2018: "Living with RFEs as the New Norm," October WSM Webinar.
• 2017: "President Trump’s 1/27/2017 Executive Order," February WSM Webinar; "Getting Ready for H-1B Season," January WSM Webinar.

Publications and Media: "Small Business Struggles with Immigration," The Recorder, September 21, 2012;  ABC News (KGO-TV), "Small Businesses Fight for Visas," June 8, 2011.

Languages: Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.