Sheria D. Smith

Sheria D. Smith is an attorney for the United States Department of Education-Office for Civil Rights (OCR). In 2019, her colleagues elected her to serve as the national president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 252, the union which represents all 2,400 bargaining unit employees in the United States Department of Education. 

Prior to joining OCR, Sheria clerked for two federal judges, practiced employment and commercial litigation for private local and international law firms, and taught fifth grade in South Texas as a Corps member for Teach for America. Sheria graduated from the Hotchkiss School, Harvard University, and the University of Texas School of Law (with honors). 

Sheria is a member of the Junior League of Dallas, Dallas Fort Worth Urban League Young Professionals, the Harvard Club of Dallas, and Kappa Alpha Theta. She has served on several boards, including Faith in Texas, the Federal Bar Association-Dallas Chapter, the Hotchkiss School, and the board of trustees for St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church.   

A proud native of Gary, Indiana, Sheria maintains residences and law licenses in her home state (Indiana) and adopted state (Texas).