Biography

Arly Smith-Pearson is a Staff Attorney in the Family Law Unit at Philadelphia Legal Assistance. Ms. Smith-Pearson represents survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking in family law matters that include child custody, child and spousal support, protection from abuse, and divorce. Ms. Smith-Pearson specializes in representing immigrant survivors of family violence.

Before joining Philadelphia Legal Assistance, she served as a staff attorney with the Legal Division of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. There, she assisted circuit panels with matters before the court, focusing on appellate procedure, civil rights, immigration and habeas corpus. Previously, she served as a law clerk for Judge Kenneth J. Powell and Judge Barbara A. McDermott of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

She is a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association, serving in many capacities, including as the Chair of the Public Interest Section, the Financial Secretary of the Young Lawyers Division, and a Member of the Board of Governors. Ms. Smith-Pearson is a frequent speaker on areas of family law and domestic violence.

She received her JD, magna cum laude, from Tulane University Law School, where she received the Paul E. Garofalo Distinguished Service Award and was elected to the Order of the Coif and the Order of the Barristers. She served as Chief Justice of the Tulane Moot Court Honor Board, won the Tulane Intraschool Senior Appellate Competition, and competed as a regional semi-finalist in the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition. She received her B.A. from the University of Oregon.