Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Roxann Smithers of Cobb County

Roxann Smithers shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Roxann, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I try to maintain a fairly consistent morning routine. I focus on preparing mentally and spiritually for the day. I start everyone morning with Bible study, prayer and journaling. If I have time, I might work a bit on “Spinster” a collection of essays I am writing. Once that is done, I check for any pressing emails or texts. I put my phone on Do No Disturb at night and I try not to look at my phone first thing in the morning. Once I am dressed–usually for my morning workout that varies depending on the day of the week and the season–I get my fur babies situated. Sherman, the cat, always wants to get brushed and get a treat. Owen, the dog, is ready for his walk and his treat. I will handle a few more emails, texts, or calls while we walk. I will usually have a protein shake, take vitamins and then head for a workout. Workouts vary from walking in the neighborhood and park, to a tennis lesson or match, session with my personal trainer, swim, boxing class, golf, or spin bike. The goal in the morning is to make sure I take care of myself before I take on the stress of the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey hey. I am Roxann Smithers, an Ohio native who has been living in the Atlanta area since 2002. I moved here after finishing college and law school at Columbia University in New York. I moved to Atlanta for three reasons. I wanted a city with a better pace of life than New York. I wanted a large Black professional population. And I was tired of being cold!

I started my career at King & Spalding, LLP one of the larger law firms in Atlanta, but left in search of a more human way to practice law. After ten years with firms, I started my own practice with two other K&S alums. We wanted to service small business owners and entrepreneurs, but also have more control over our day-to-day lives. Thirteen years later, I am still running the firm (Smithers Law Group, LLC) on my own with team of lawyers in support. We are a full service law firm for business owners. I added a business mediation service to the practice. I also speak and teach in order to educate business owners about legal issues that impact their business success. We also sell contract templates for creative entrepreneurs.

We were a virtual firm before it was really a common thing. I would not trade being able to work from home (or anywhere in the world) and protect my quality of life for anything. Defining success for myself has been the most important thing. Autonomy and freedom of movement matters more than making the most amount of money possible. I want to give my client quality service, while enjoying my life and pursuing all interests outside of the law. I also want to lay on the couch and watch Bravo!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
I would have to give credit to my parents. They always supported my interests and my talents. They made sure that I had opportunities that were far beyond anything they had ever experienced. If that meant figuring out how to get me to and from an academic program in the summer, how to get me through boarding school, or how to get me to Columbia, we always figured it out somehow. They helped me to navigate environments that were very different from our community and helped me to believe I belonged in those spaces even if we did not have the pedigree. They have always helped me to believe that I could achieve anything if I set my mind to it.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My mom’s health was precarious for a large portion of my life. She had her first heart attack when I was nine years old. Growing up there was always this underlying fear of something happening to my mom. But she never let me give in to that fear or let it keep me from pursuing my goals. Although she wanted to keep me close, she let me go to prestigious boarding school in Ohio–Western Reserve Academy–for high school. I attended Upward Bound at the University of Akron every summer while in high school. She put aside her own fear and understood when I left home to attend college in New York City.

The summer before my junior year, she fell an broke her knee. As a result of diabetes and heart disease, her leg would not heal properly. Ultimately, she had to undergo an above the knee amputation. She spent majority of the summer in the hospital, while I worked two jobs, was her primary advocate with an array of doctors, and started the process of packing up our two-story home. She came home from the hospital two weeks before I had to head back to school. We had two weeks get her adjusted enough to be on her own and in our home, until new housing could be arranged. When I left for school I think it broke both of our hearts, but it was understood that we were sacrificing for a better future. Thankfully, she was able to see me graduate from college in person.

That was one of many times that cultivated my resilience. It also fuels choices that I have made in career and life. We did not make it through those times for me to be miserable in my career or in my life. We did that so that I could have choices and opportunities that she never had.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
First, you need to decide what a successful life looks like to you. Once you do that, you can identify your needs and your wants in life. Then you can create boundaries that give you room to satisfy those wants and needs. For me success means doing a good job for my clients, having a good professional reputation, and having a reasonable level of financial means. It also means being physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. Having time for my family and friends. Having time for random interests, including doing nothing at all.

Then my wants and needs flow from that definition. I need to average 7-8 hours of sleep a night. I need to work out regularly. I want to have hobbies. I want to travel. I want to control my day-to-day schedule–when and where I work.

The boundaries flow from there. I limit the meetings and activities that I do in person–particularly if I have a say in the venue or format. My admin/paralegal does client intake. I delegate to my team to maximize revenue for everyone without expanding my workload. Generally, I require retainers and do not bill in arears. Booking consultations and mediations is automated and have to be paid for upfront. I do not give out my personal cell phone number. Generally, I do not schedule meetings on Mondays or Fridays. When I provide free services, it is intentional and not by accident. I say no to things that do not excite me so that I can yes to the things that do excite me.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand the importance of keeping things in perspective. It is imperative to be very very clear on what things really matters and what things are inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Experiencing a lot of loss has helped me to set good priorities. I am very clear on what parts of life are going to matter when your life is over–relationships and who you were as a person. Coming from very humble beginnings makes me incredibly grateful. It also cures any inferiority complex, because I know that I must be blessed and the bomb to be where I am. I know what I am capable of doing with God’s help. It is just a matter of setting my mind to what it is I want to achieve.

Contact Info:

• Website: www,stulawgroup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smitherslawgroup/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxann-smithers-225a1a4
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmithersLawGroup/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@smitherslawgroup
• Other: Personal IG www.instagram.com/spinsterroxy/

Image Credits
Bonnie J. Heath Photography