Best Best & Krieger LLP Director of Election Services Stephanie D. Smith brings a wealth of hands-on municipal government experience to her role helping cities navigate the myriad of ever-changing election laws. Throughout her career she has handled multiple initiatives, two referendums and three recalls - all reaching the signature verification stage and several reaching the ballot.

Stephanie also supports public agencies with California Public Records Act compliance as a member of BB&K's ARC: Advanced Records Center.
 
Before joining BB&K, Stephanie served as city clerk for the cities of Murrieta and Lake Forest. Accredited as a Master Municipal Clerk by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Stephanie has more than three decades of experience in municipal government. 
 
Stephanie served on the City Clerks Association of California Executive Board, most recently as president in 2018-2019. In addition to her bachelor’s degree in management, Stephanie completed the Advanced Leadership Program through Continuing Education for Public Officials and is also a graduate of the CEPO Training for Trainers Program. She shares her knowledge and know-how as a trainer for the CCAC, as well as for the Master Municipal Clerk Academy and the California Building Officials Association.
 
Stephanie has authored more than 100 published articles on a variety of topics, including workplace change initiatives, personnel issues, business management, work/life balance and financial planning. Her book, “Values-Based Goal Setting: How to Dream Big and Live the Life You Were Meant to Live,” was an Amazon #1 bestseller in the Vocational Guidance and Business & Money Short Reads categories. 
 
A native Californian, Stephanie is married to Jim and they have two children who followed her footsteps into public service, as well as three grandchildren.

*As director of Election Services, Stephanie Smith does not provide legal representation or advice for or to our clients.
 
Education

• Purdue University Global, B.S., management

Honors/Awards

•  Pat Hammers Spirit Award, City Clerks Association of California, 2021

Election Law Resource Center

BB&K’s Election Law Resource Center gives California cities the Vote of Confidence they need to ensure legal compliance with all aspects of local elections. This unique service includes:

• A digital copy of BB&K’s Election Law Toolkit
• ​Email and telephone hotline

Get Your Vote of Confidence