Professional Overview
Jessica Smart is a seasoned legal professional currently serving as Partner and Head of Immigration at Stephenson Harwood LLP in London, England, United Kingdom. Her key expertise areas include immigration law, with a strong industry focus on legal services and committee work.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As Partner and Head of Immigration at Stephenson Harwood LLP, Jessica oversees immigration-related legal matters, providing strategic guidance and expertise to clients. Her key responsibilities include leading the immigration team, developing business growth strategies, and contributing to policy-making through her roles at The Law Society. Notably, she has been an Immigration Committee Member and Council Member - Immigration Constituency at The Law Society since 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Career Progression
Jessica's career trajectory showcases consistent growth and achievement. Prior to her current role, she was a Senior Associate at Macfarlanes from 2020 to 2023, where she honed her skills in immigration law. Before that, she worked as a Solicitor at Macfarlanes from 2016 to 2020 and at Berkeley Law from 2015 to 2016, demonstrating her ability to thrive in different legal environments. Her early career includes roles as a Trainee Solicitor at Berkeley Law and a Paralegal at Mishcon de Reya LLP, laying the foundation for her future success.
Areas of Expertise
Jessica's expertise spans immigration law, with technical competencies in legal analysis, strategy development, and team management. Her leadership capabilities are evident through her current and past roles, particularly in heading the immigration department and contributing to professional committees.
Professional Impact
Through her work, Jessica has contributed to the development of immigration law and policy, both directly through client services and indirectly through her committee roles at The Law Society. While specific project details are not available, her involvement in shaping legal practices and policies underscores her professional impact.
Conclusion
Jessica Smart's professional trajectory is marked by steady advancement and a deepening expertise in immigration law. Currently, her focus is on leading the immigration practice at Stephenson Harwood LLP while contributing to the broader legal community through her work with The Law Society. Her value proposition lies in her ability to provide high-level strategic advice on immigration matters, coupled with her commitment to shaping the legal landscape through committee work and policy contributions.
