Before joining the VLGS faculty, Professor Dayna Smith was an associate at a small firm, where her practice focused on toxic tort litigation. Professor Smith then joined the University of Illinois College of Law International and Graduate Programs Office, where she worked with LLM and exchange students in multiple capacities. She was also a UBE tutor for three administrations. Professor Smith is a member of the Illinois bar.

Professor Smith received her undergraduate degree in biology with a minor in sustainability from the University of Notre Dame. She also has a master’s degree in biology from Western Illinois University.

Professor Smith received her law degree, summa cum laude, from Vermont Law School. While in law school, Professor Smith was the Editor-in-Chief of the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. She also served as a student mentor within the ASP program and was a teaching assistant for Civil Procedure I & II, Legal Writing, and Evidence.