About Elizabeth Smith

Elizabeth Smith began her legal career in 2005 working towards an Associates Degree in paralegal studies after recalling her childhood dream of becoming “Matlock.” During her first semester, she joined Poynter & Bucheri as a Receptionist. Within six short months, she was transitioned to criminal defense and family law paralegal and was delegated the responsibility of office manager. Elizabeth drafted pleadings, helped strategize on cases and was very involved in client communication as well as managing the day-to-day of the office. Upon completion of her Associates Degree, Elizabeth began to entertain the idea of law school. While unsure if she wanted to pursue a legal degree or continue to provide legal support, Elizabeth knew a Bachelors Degree would be required if law school were in the future so she began working toward that goal.
After 5 years with Poynter & Bucheri, including assisting with 2 murder trials, Elizabeth took some time off to spend with her newborn daughter. A few months later, she was recruited by the elected prosecutor in Marion County to be his direct report assistant. She aided him with a myriad of duties, including coordinating press conferences, drafting press releases, fundraising and hosting the office Christmas Party and conducting research for his radio show, “Crime Beat”. During this time, Elizabeth continued to freelance with P&B on injury cases, drafting demands and Complaints. While her position with Mr. Brizzi was intended to be temporary only through the end of his second term, Elizabeth went on to work as his paralegal in private practice for the next four years.
Completing her Bachelors Degree, Elizabeth saw herself in a much more involved role than drafting legal documents. She applied for law school and was wait-listed for IU McKinney, her first choice school. Elizabeth was accepted to Valparaiso on scholarship so she left her Morgan County roots and relocated herself and her daughter to Northern Indiana for her first year of law school. While juggling life as a single mother, a full-time student and working as a freelance paralegal for both Mr. Brizzi in private practice, as well as with Poynter & Bucheri (“P&B”), Elizabeth managed to rank 11th in her class after her 1L year and was able to transfer to IU McKinney to complete her second and third years. Elizabeth continued to work for Mr. Brizzi, including assisting in another murder trial. She also continued to work for P&B in addition to maintaining a full time law school schedule. Graduating in May, 2015, Elizabeth sat for and passed the July bar. She resumed full time employment with P&B August the same year.
Elizabeth is a lifelong resident of Morgan County where she currently lives on a small farm with her husband, Daniel and their five children.

Business Hours
Monday – Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed