Shelley R. Smith

Partner

Civil Rights Defense & Constitutional LitigationBusiness Litigation

Overview

Shelley is Archer's Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and a partner in the firm's Business Litigation and Labor and Employment Groups. She is a frequent speaker and writer about diversity and the related constitutional issues. She has written about the evolution of the law of affirmative action in the educational context and is a frequent speaker on the post-2023 diversity landscape.

In addition to her Diversity work, Shelley counsels clients in commercial litigation and labor and employment matters. Shelley has experience litigating a wide variety of cases before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. Shelley has handled cases involving discrimination and harassment allegations, including Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. In addition, Shelley has represented clients in matters regarding unlawful discipline, wrongful discharge, unfair labor practice issues, and whistleblower claims. Shelley also handles collective bargaining issues, including private and public sector union negotiations and grievance arbitrations.

Shelley also provides day-to-day advice and counsel to personnel and human resource departments with respect to the numerous labor and employment matters which arise from daily operations. Shelley is often called upon to review employee handbooks and manuals for Pennsylvania businesses, not only from a legal, but also from a human relations perspective. She assists such professionals in establishing and implementing policies, procedures and decisions regarding all aspects of the employment relationship, including hiring, firing, promotions, compensation, benefits, leaves, reasonable accommodations, and the investigation of harassment and discrimination claims.

Shelley counsels employers regarding compliance with federal and state disability laws, Civil Service Rules and Regulations, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and state and local employment practice acts. She also assists clients with hiring and termination processes, as well as purchasing and procurement matters.

Credentials

Education

Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, JD
Temple University, BA

Admissions

Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
New York

Offices

Philadelphia, PA

Areas of Focus

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Practice

Industries

Education

News & Insights

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Better, Stronger, Smarter: Building Diverse Teams to Win in Today’s Evolving Landscape

03.18.2025

Speaking Engagements & Seminars

Better, Stronger, Smarter: Building Diverse Teams to Win in Today’s Evolving Landscape

Archer partner and Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Shelley R. Smith will be a speaker at the USC Gould School of Law Intellectual Property Institute. With diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives at an inflection point, Shelley's session, "Better, Stronger, Smarter: Building Diverse Teams to Win in Today’s Evolving Landscape," will focus on how to build diverse and engaged teams to deliver better, stronger, and smarter results to clients. Hear thoughts from the panelists on how to embrace the challenges and reap the rewards....

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For Midsize Law Firms, Curbing Boys-Club Culture Starts with Diversity at the Top

11.22.2024

In the News

For Midsize Law Firms, Curbing Boys-Club Culture Starts with Diversity at the Top

In the LAW.COM PRO article, “For Midsize Law Firms, Curbing Boys-Club Culture Starts with Diversity at the Top,” partner Shelley R. Smith, Archer’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, gave insight on how midsize law firms can increase diversity efforts when dealing with smaller talent pools and less frequent leadership changes, which can affect diverse visibility at the top level....

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Shelley Smith Named to City & State PA Fifty Over 50

09.10.2024

Press Releases

Shelley Smith Named to City & State PA Fifty Over 50

Archer partner and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (“CDEIO”), Shelley R. Smith, was named to City & State PA’s Fifty Over 50 list, which recognizes 50 influential leaders in Pennsylvania over the age of 50 who have set themselves apart in government, nonprofits and the private sector....

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