Knowledgeable Leaders In
EMPLOYMENT LAW

Protecting The Rights Of Workers
Throughout California

Alyssa L. Smith

Alyssa Smith is a recent law school graduate and became provisionally licensed to practice law in 2020. She interned with GrahamHollis APC throughout her final year of law school and was hired on as post-bar clerk prior to securing her Licensed Provisional Associate position. 
 
After experiencing her own racial discrimination case at the age of 13, she vowed to always stand firm in the face of injustice. After 15 years of advocating for civil rights outside of the courtroom, it was a natural fit for Alyssa to advocate for employee rights at GrahamHollis APC. 
 
Alyssa was born and raised in Madera, California and attended California State University of Fresno. While at Fresno State, Alyssa became the Founder and President of the NAACP– Fresno State College Chapter. Additionally, she competed in and won numerous mock trial tournaments, which helped her to secure an externship with the Honorable Ernest LiCalsi, of the Superior Court of Madera County. Alyssa graduated cum laude from Fresno State in 2014, where she received her B.A. in Philosophy – Pre-Law and Minor in Criminology. Due to her extensive community service efforts, the University President awarded Alyssa the esteemed “University Community Service Award” at her graduation ceremony, the first of its kind.

In 2015, Alyssa was elected as the California-Hawaii NAACP Youth and College Division State Conference President. Alyssa’s advocacy gained national attention and shortly thereafter she was elected to serve as the youngest board member on the NAACP National Board of Directors. She served both of these positions until she aged out at 25 years old. 

Alyssa graduated from California Western School of law with her Juris Doctorate in 2020. She competed on the Mock Trial Team and even made school history when she received a perfect 10 out of 10 score from all three of the judges at the CWSL Gafford Oral Argument Competition. Alyssa also served as an A.I.M. student mentor for 2 years, wherein she guided underprivileged students through the law school admissions process. 

Alyssa draws from her own personal experiences to ensure that she remains a zealous advocate for the clients she serves. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at Operation Hope and mentoring NAACP Youth, listening to music, and going to the gym. 

Practice Areas

  • Employment Law
  • Wage and Hour Class Actions
  • Discrimination and Harassment
  • Retaliation and Wrongful Termination

Education

  • California Western School of Law, San Diego, California
    • J.D. - 2020
    • Honors: Distinguished Trial Advocate Award
    • Honors: CWSL Trial Team
    • Honors: Deans List, Spring 2019
  • California State University, Fresno, California
    • B.A. - 2014
    • Major: Pre-Law
    • Major: Philosophy
    • Minor: Criminology

Bar Admissions

  • California, 2020

Published Works

Professional Associations

  • Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, Member
  • San Diego County Bar Association, Member
  • Provisionally Licensed Lawyer