Cynthia M. Smith

Cynthia M. “Cindy” Smith skillfully advises California K-12 and community college districts on a range of business and facilities matters, as well as governance issues such as Brown Act questions and parliamentary procedure queries. Cindy also helps them comply with the Public Records Act by fulfilling requests for documents—one of many tasks that clients are eager to turn over to her so they can better focus on their educational missions.

Cindy’s many years of legal practice have previously spanned several areas, including litigation, investigations, special education and charter schools. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a clerk for the California State Legislature, Assembly Judiciary Committee. Cindy draws on her broad and deep experience and institutional knowledge to act in a general counsel capacity to several districts. A careful listener, she ascertains how the issues at hand affect other areas of their organizations and addresses the tangential aspects that clients might not have considered initially.

On the real property side of her practice, Cindy provides counsel on bidding specifications and procedures, agreement drafting and easement issues. When school districts experience decreases in student numbers through boundary reconfigurations or changing demographics, she helps them sell surplus properties. Cindy has also assisted clients with a variety of contract-related issues, including interpreting, revising, and drafting contracts, and negotiating resolutions to contract disputes.

Managing partner of the firm’s Sacramento office, Cindy is a popular presenter on legal education topics. As the product of public education and a family involved in government service, she proudly serves school districts and relishes the opportunity to help facilitate student learning.