Managing Attorneys
Erin A. Smith
Adjunct Professor of Law & Managing Attorney William & Mary's Elder & Disability Law Clinic
Degrees: J.D., Appalachian School of Law; B.A., University of Mary Washington
Email: [[easmith02,Erin Smith]]
Erin Smith is an adjunct professor of law at William & Mary and is the Co-Managing Attorney of the Elder & Disability Law Clinic. She is also a Senior Vice President and Senior Trust Officer with Bank of America Private Bank.
Erin has extensive experience, having served as a trust and estate planning attorney for more than a decade. Prior to joining Bank of America Private Bank, she was a managing partner at boutique law firm in Williamsburg, VA, and also practiced trust and estate planning at other law firms, including her own practice.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Washington, and her Juris Doctor from the Appalachian School of Law, where she was on the Dean’s List.
Passionate about her community, Erin has served as a court appointed Guardian ad Litem for children and incapacitated adults, and also as counsel for CASA (“Court Appointed Special Advocates”) in Williamsburg, VA. She is a member of the Virginia State Bar, Trusts and Estates and Family law Sections, and was selected as a “Top Lawyer” by Virginia Coastal Magazine from 2018 to 2021.
Erin does not provide legal advice in her role at William & Mary Law School.
Nicholas R. Thompson
Adjunct Professor of Law & Managing Attorney William & Mary's Elder & Disability Law Clinic
Degrees: J.D., William & Mary Law School; M.B.A., The College of William & Mary; B.S., East Carolina University
Email: [[nrthompson,Nick Thompson]]
Nick Thompson is an adjunct professor of law at William & Mary and is the Co-Managing attorney of the Elder & Disability Law Clinic. He is also a practicing attorney and associate at Dechert LLP located in Washington, D.C. At Dechert, Nick represents private equity, private company, and public company clients on mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Nick also has significant experience in matters relating to restructuring, capital markets, and leveraged finance practice focuses on commercial financing matters across the energy industry.
Nick regularly handles matters related to family and elder and disability law. He represents clients before circuit courts in guardianship and conservatorship matters and advises clients on wills issues.
He is a graduate of East Carolina University and earned his business and law degrees from William & Mary. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the Richmond Bar Association. Nick serves on the board of Boaz and Ruth based in Richmond, Virginia.