Mariel E. Smith, ADR Attorney in Columbus, Georgia
focused on ADR, Education, and Employment · 4.7/5 rating from 10 verified client reviews
PartneratHall Booth Smith, P.C.
Columbus, GA
Trusted adr attorney serving Columbus.
- 4.7 ★
- 10 client reviews
Practices in
Are you Mariel E. Smith?
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Quick answer
Mariel E. Smith is a partner based in Columbus, GA. The practice focuses on ADR, Education, and Employment. Currently practicing at Hall Booth Smith, P.C.. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 10 client reviews.
- Based in
- Columbus, GA
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- ADR · Education · Employment
- Handles ADR, Education, and Employment matters from Columbus, GA.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About Mariel E. Smith: Mariel E. Smith is a partner based in Columbus, GA. The practice focuses on ADR, Education, and Employment. Currently practicing at Hall Booth Smith, P.C.. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 10 client reviews.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Mariel takes on
Mariel concentrates on adr, education, and employment. Each area below outlines the kind of case Mariel handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
ADR
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Education
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Employment
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ADR cases in Columbus, Georgia
Mariel takes adr matters in Columbus, Georgia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Mariel agrees to represent you.
Education cases in Columbus, Georgia
Mariel takes education matters in Columbus, Georgia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Mariel agrees to represent you.
Employment cases in Columbus, Georgia
Mariel takes employment matters in Columbus, Georgia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Mariel agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Mariel E. Smith — adr lawyer in Columbus
Mariel E. Smith is a partner based in Columbus, GA. The practice focuses on ADR, Education, and Employment. Currently practicing at Hall Booth Smith, P.C.. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 10 client reviews.
Mariel E. Smith’s primary practice is comprised of education and employment law. Mariel regularly represents school districts in employment matters, drafting Board policies, handling due process hearings, and handling Title IX claims. She has years of experience in defending companies in lawsuits and pre-litigation investigations involving agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Georgia Department of Labor, and the United States International Trade Commission.
Her litigation experience in employment and labor law include defending employers in wage and hour, discrimination, and harassment claims. She also has experience in representing clients in mediation. She has assisted clients in workplace internal investigations as well as those involving employees charged with white collar federal crimes. She also has experience assisting private companies undergoing workforce reductions.
Mariel originally joined the Columbus office of HBS in 2011 after she worked for several years as a Superior Court Judicial law clerk and subsequently as an Assistant District Attorney, all for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. During her first few years at HBS, Mariel also served as the Associate Magistrate Judge for Muscogee County and occasionally filled in on the bench for Municipal Court, presiding over civil lawsuits, criminal first appearance hearings, truancy hearings, and warrant applications.
Mariel left HBS in 2017 to work as General Counsel for a global manufacturing company and returned in 2019. During her time as General Counsel, Mariel managed complex litigation, including lawsuits involving products liability matters, patent infringement, and trade secret theft and also maintained the company’s trademark and patent inventory. She gained a significant amount of experience in negotiating, revising, and managing agreements including those with two of the largest multinational retail corporations.
She has also successfully negotiated international agreements as related to operations and procurement in the manufacturing industry. Mariel has unique expertise in consumer and commercial law, particularly as related to ecommerce, business compliance with consumer privacy laws, consumer products packaging/labeling, and international trade. She is also a member of the Diversity Committee at HBS.
Experience
Arbitration & Mediation
Mariel is trained civil mediation and is a registered mediator in Georgia. Her practice has included experience in a significant amount of mediation settings as an advocate, which prepared her to serve as a mediator. Through those experiences, she is able to offer alternatives to litigation in an environment which facilitates effective compromise and decision making empowerment for the parties.
Education
In the context of education law, Mariel regularly researches various issues for school board members and administrators. She recognizes the importance of ensuring that board policies are up-to-date with the constantly changing state and federal education laws. In that regard, Mariel has drafted and revised many board policies related to governance, students, fiscal management, and personnel.
Additionally, Mariel provides representation to school districts and employees in defending and investigating lawsuits involving sexual harassment, discrimination, special education, and even motor vehicle collision occurring within the scope of a district employee’s job duties.
Labor & Employment
Mariel has had the opportunity to defend public and private sector employers and Department of Labor hearings, write opinion letters regarding suspension and termination procedures, and offer guidance in connection with responding to lawsuits involving current and former employees. Clients frequently benefit from Mariel’s familiarity with employment law, particularly in the context of litigation.
Recognition
•Top Lawyers , Labor & Employment Law, GaBiz Magazine, 2026
•Legal Elite, Labor & Unemployment; Georgia Trend Magazine; 2024
•Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, Education Law, Best Lawyers, 2021-2024
•AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, High Ethical Standing; Martindale-Hubbell
•On The Rise, Daily Report’s Georgia Legal Awards, 2020
•Top 40 Under 40, National Black Lawyers, 2015-2017
•Top 100, National Black Lawyers
Presentations
•Getting Bias out of Our Systems
From Day One Forum, February 2020
•Social Media and other Hot Topics in Law
Presented to Arch Insurance Claims Professionals, October 2019
•Social Media in Claims and Litigation
RIMs, Great Plains Chapter, Omaha Nebraska; November 2019
•Americans with Disabilities Act in the Workplace
Employer-client presentation, 2019
•Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace
Employer-client presentation, 2018-2019
•How to Cover your Ass-ets
Creative South, Trademark and Copyright Law Presentation, 2017
•Is Your Employee Handbook Up to Date?: Essential Components and Sample Policies for Today’s Workplace; and Wage and Benefits Issues
National Business Institute, 2017
Publications
•An intern program can pay dividends - if done correctly
HR Dive; May 9, 2023
•Eleventh Circuit Holds Websites Are Not Places of Public Accommodation and Rejects the Nexus Standard
HBS Employment Updates Blog, April 2021
•US Supreme Court Holds That Title VII Protects Homosexual And Transgender Employees
HBS Employment Updates Blog, June 2020
•What Should Employers Do When Employees Refuse To Return To Work For Fear Of COVID-19?
HBS Employment Updates Blog, May 2020
•Enactment Of The CROWN Act Warrants Review Of Employer Policies Governing Grooming And Appearance Standards
HBS Employment Updates Blog, January 2020
•Department of Labor Issues New Overtime Rules
HBS Employment Updates Blog, September 2019
•Recent Case Decision: Defining Workers Compensation Medical Benefits
HBS Worker’s Compensation blog, June 2017
•Some Good Deeds Do Go Unpunished: AED and Emergency Medical Response
DRI, 2013
•Placing Commercial and Economic Loss Problem in the Construction Industry Context
The John Marshall Law Review, 2007
In the Press
27 HBS Partners Recognized as 2026 Top Lawyers by GaBiz Magazine
January 29, 2026
Hall Booth Smith is pleased to announce that 27 of the firm’s partners have been recognized as 2026 “Top Lawyers” by GaBiz Magazine in its Winter issue.
Mariel's approach to adr cases
Mariel E. Smith’s primary practice is comprised of education and employment law. Mariel regularly represents school districts in employment matters, drafting Board policies, handling due process hearings, and handling Title IX claims. She has years of experience in defending companies in lawsuits and pre-litigation investigations involving agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity…
The kind of cases Mariel takes
Mariel reviews new inquiries case-by-case for adr, education, and employment matters in Columbus and the surrounding Georgia area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
University of Arkansas School of Law J.D.
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Mercer University B.A. cum laude
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Mariel studied at — in University of Arkansas School of Law J.D. and — in Mercer University B.A. cum laude.
Law school and academic background
Mariel completed — in University of Arkansas School of Law J.D. and — in Mercer University B.A. cum laude. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Mariel runs in Georgia is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Mariel has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Locations
Mariel E. Smith's office in Columbus
Mariel's primary office is at Suite 100, 1301 First Avenue, Columbus, GA, 31901. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Mariel E. Smith — 4.7/5 rating from 10 verified client reviews
Every review below is from a verified client of Mariel. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing adr attorneys in Columbus.
4.7
10 client reviews
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Mariel E. Smith claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Mariel E. Smith — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new adr attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Mariel usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Mariel charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Mariel's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Mariel will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a adr attorney in Columbus, Georgia
A short list to run through before you commit: How many adr matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Mariel
Mariel discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in adr practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every adr matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Mariel confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Mariel's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many adr practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Mariel E. Smith
How much does it cost to hire Mariel for a adr case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Mariel walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Mariel offer a free consultation?
Mariel charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Mariel's office. Some adr attorneys offer free consults — check Mariel's current terms during booking.
How long do adr cases in Georgia typically take?
Simple adr matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Mariel gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Mariel take my case if I'm outside Columbus?
Mariel is licensed in Georgia. Matters governed by Georgia law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Mariel will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Mariel?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Mariel will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Mariel accepting new adr clients right now?
Mariel's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
ADR attorneys serving Columbus, Atlanta and Marietta in Georgia
Mariel handles adr matters throughout Georgia. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified adr attorneys in that community.
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If Mariel's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these adr attorneys in Columbus handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.
