Rachel Smith

MEET RACHEL

A Career Built on Justice

Rachel Smith is a veteran prosecutor, administrator, litigator, trainer, and educator with 30 years’ experience. After graduating from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Rachel worked as an associate at a general litigation firm. In 1993, she fulfilled a personal dream when she became an Assistant Circuit Attorney in St. Louis, Missouri. Since then, she has prosecuted every type of criminal case.

In 1998, Rachel became a Special Prosecutor for the Missouri Attorney General, traveling the state handling primarily complex litigation, capital murder, and public corruption cases. In 2001, she returned to the Circuit Attorney’s Office as a member of its Executive Team, serving as Chief of the Community Affairs Bureau and later as Chief Trial Attorney. Alongside her management and administrative duties, Rachel always carried a caseload of complex, violent crime cases. She assisted with office administration, managed staff and attorneys, handled legislative matters, supervised the community and communications teams, and oversaw special investigations and complex litigation.

Rachel also served as an Adjunct Professor and Clinical Co-Director of the Washington University School of Law Prosecution Clinic. She has taught and lectured for police departments and police academies nationwide, and has presented, taught, and lectured for prosecutor programs and training courses across the country.

Rachel has served on several statewide committees, including the Missouri Supreme Court and Bar committees on the Criminal Code Rewrite, the Criminal Justice Task Force, and the Missouri Prosecutors’ Legislative and Capital Litigation committees. She chaired both the Missouri Prosecutors’ Best Practices Subcommittee on Special Victims and the Best Practices Subcommittee on Ethics.

Today, Rachel’s separate law practice and consulting work serves prosecutors around the nation. She serves as a special prosecutor for complex litigation and complex investigations, and as a trial coach, mentor, and consultant, helping shape policy, advising on best practices, and assessing offices.

Rachel married her husband, Jeff, over 20 years ago and lives in the St. Louis area. She enjoys writing, researching family history, wrangling her teens, and volunteering for community organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America.