About Me
Ariana served as a prosecutor with the Office of the Bronx District Attorney where she handled the prosecution of felony and misdemeanor cases including robbery, burglary, grand larceny, DWI and assault. Ariana developed successful trial strategies and has tried several cases to verdict. She has also handled immigration law, criminal defense, personal injury, and breach of contract matters. During the foundational stages of starting her own legal practice, Ariana also served as an Administrative Law Judge where she conducted hearings and issued decision on parking and camera violations issued in the City of New York.
Now she is bringing that same passion to your business by offering several services that will strengthen and protect your brand.
Ariana's passion for working with small businesses arose from her own desire to be a small business owner herself. After several years in litigation practice with various law firms and organizations, she decided that she wanted to be in control of her own destiny and work for herself, and The A.C. Smith Law Firm was born!
Ariana is very familiar with the uncertainties and doubt associated with launching a business on your own. It requires you to step out on faith and truly believe in yourself and the skills or services that you intend to offer. She is fully committed to using her strong experience in navigating through the law to help your business and brand stand on solid legal ground.
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​Brand protection is a key component to business growth and sustainability, and Ariana is honored to be a part of her client’s entrepreneurial journey in such a foundational way. She is continuously inspired by her clients and their courage to live out their dreams, no matter the obstacles.
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In the spirit of staying connected to the community, Ariana works with the NYC Small Business Solutions Center to offer pro bono consultations to entrepreneurs within the five boroughs that have Intellectual Property questions. She also offers a quarterly Trademark 101 webinar to ensure that business owners have access to information that is important to the success of their brand.
Ariana received her Juris Doctor degree from Howard University School of Law where she also studied International Business Transactions, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Constitutional Law at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa. She received her Bachelor's degree from Temple University.
She is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey.
When not practicing law, you can likely find her listening to soca and/or afrobeats music, watching Harry Potter movies, or frolicking with friends.
Click HERE to listen to my radio interview about trademarks!