Background & Education

Laura Smith has been in the legal community for over 15 years. She started working at a small south suburban estate planning law firm as an administrative assistant during a high school business professionals program.

While obtaining her Associate degree in Paralegal Studies, Laura was given the opportunity to move to her first city law firm working at an insurance defense firm. During her employment, Laura gained extensive knowledge on how to handle a case from start to finish. Laura has worked at various other global law firms, but transitioned her career and started working at a court reporting and litigation support firm. This gave her the opportunity to become a Certified Legal Videographer, Certified Trial Director Trainer, and “hot-seat” trial technician.  Laura’s Associate degree in Computer Science has proven to be beneficial during trial and other stages of a case. Laura has travel with several State Attorney General Offices working as a “hot-seat” trial technician. 

Laura returned to the paralegal field and began working as a virtual paralegal that has included providing virtual paralegal support to Coffman Law Offices. Laura works closely on all Coffman Law Office cases and provides an immense amount of litigation and client support to the firm.

Laura also received her Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology degree.  Forensic psychology is the connection of law and psychology. Laura is an Illinois Accredited Paralegal through the Illinois Paralegal Association and a Certified Mediator.  Laura is an active member of Illinois Paralegal Association, Chicago Paralegal Association, American Association for Justice, National Court Reporters Association, and American Psychological Association.

Hobbies

In her spare time, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and two cats (Tang & Nesquik), watching nephews play hockey, and just relaxing.