Attorney Smith worked part-time for the Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services, now part of the Greater Boston Legal Services, on family law cases. She started participating as an attorney in the PALS (Participant Attorney in Legal Services) project in 1984. Within three years, by June 1987, Attorney Smith was the Coordinator of the PALS project where she supervised 20 attorneys in private practice who handled approximately 90 cases. Ms. Smith held the position as Coordinator of the PALS project until December 1988. Attorney Smith continued to participate on the PALS project until 1997. From June 1997 to November 1997, Attorney Smith worked part-time for the Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services handling the family law unit until permanent staff could be retained.