Trusted Advisor to Attorneys and Law Firms

Janae Smith joined Shelton & Steele in 2024 and has worked with attorneys and law firms across the nation. She has coordinated and completed the lateral moves of high-level partners who brought significant business with them.
Within a year of joining Shelton & Steele her role changed, as the legal profession entered one of the most significant transformations in its history. As Legal MSOs emerged as a new source of capital, technology and strategic growth for entrepreneurial law firms, she became an integral member of the firm's Legal MSO advisory practice, working directly with law firm leadership throughout the transaction process.

​

Working alongside CEO Frederick Shelton and President Ayven Dodd, Janae assists managing partners, executive committees and founders as they evaluate Legal MSO opportunities, law firm mergers and strategic growth initiatives. Her work spans every stage of the process, from preparing firms before their first investor meeting to coordinating due diligence and supporting leadership through negotiations and closing.

​

Unlike traditional transaction coordinators whose responsibilities often end when a meeting concludes, Janae remains actively engaged throughout the process. She helps prepare clients for investor meetings, coordinates the flow of information among advisors, assists with due diligence and participates in post meeting debriefings where leadership can ask questions, discuss concerns and gain a clearer understanding of complex business concepts and transaction structures. These conversations frequently help identify issues that might otherwise remain unspoken until much later in the process.

​

Janae also assists with Shelton & Steele's ongoing research into the rapidly evolving Legal MSO marketplace. By evaluating emerging market participants, governance models and investment strategies, she helps ensure clients benefit from current market intelligence rather than outdated assumptions. That research supports Shelton & Steele's philosophy of introducing clients only to organizations that align with their long term objectives concerning autonomy, culture, governance and strategic growth.

 

Origins

Before joining Shelton & Steele, Janae built a diverse career in relationship management, operations and program execution, including service within the Department of Defense and the aviation industry. Those experiences strengthened the organizational discipline, attention to detail and calm decision making that now benefit law firms navigating sophisticated transactions involving multiple stakeholders and advisors.

​

"One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is helping managing partners and founders feel confident throughout the transaction process. These are often the most significant business decisions of their careers, and every client deserves an advisor who is prepared, responsive and committed to helping them understand not only what is happening, but why it matters."

​

Outside the Office

Outside the office, Janae is a licensed pilot who enjoys mentoring aspiring aviators and volunteering with youth organizations that promote education, leadership and career development. She also enjoys healthy living, travel and discovering new experiences that broaden her perspective both personally and professionally.