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Michele Yennie Smith, a shareholder with MehaffyWeber, has been named a Distinguished Young Alumna by Lamar University. A total of four notable Lamar University alumni were chosen for the 2012 awards. The Lamar University Alumni Advisory Board's Distinguished Alumni Awards Committee makes the annual selections. The honorees were selected from nominations by Lamar University alumni based on criteria that include notable accomplishments in his/her chosen profession. The recipients must also display integrity and character that inspires pride for the university and its alumni and have demonstrated recognition of the importance of Lamar in their career, deeds and actions.

Michele currently serves as President of the Jefferson County Bar Association. She served as President of the Jefferson County Young Lawyers' Association in 2000-2001 and was named the Jefferson County Bar Association Young Lawyer of the Year for 2002. She actively volunteers her time to the Pro Bono Program. Michele is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, serving on several committees. Michele also serves on the Executive Committee as Secretary for the Texas Association of Defense Counsel. Michele received the TADC President's Award in 2010. She is a member of the Defense Research. She is also a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the American Bar Association.

Michele serves on numerous boards of civic and charitable organizations. She is a Past President of the Junior League of Beaumont, and the Jefferson County Bar Association Auxiliary. Currently, she serves on the Alumni Board of Monsignor Kelly High School, and the Boards of The Symphony of Southeast Texas, The Shorkey Center, Lamar University Foundation and Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School. She received The Athena Award from the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce in 2008 and was named Sustainer of the Year by the Junior League of Beaumont in 2011.

Michele has more than 19 years of diverse jury trial experience. She represents clients in general civil litigation, with a concentration in complex litigation and products liability. Michele is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She has been a shareholder with the firm since 1999 and currently serves on the firm's Management Committee. She is an Advocate member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Houston Chapter and serves on the Pattern Jury Charge Committee in Products Liability for the State Bar of Texas.