Nanci A. Smith Esq

Nanci A. Smith represents the peaceful alternative in family law practice. Based in Montpelier with additional office presence in Williston, Nanci has built an exceptional solo practice devoted exclusively to family law matters. With over 30 years of legal experience dating back to 1992, Nanci has witnessed the full spectrum of how families navigate separation—from contentious litigation to collaborative resolution—and has deliberately chosen to emphasize peaceful, dignified approaches to dissolution. Nanci's journey to founding her solo practice in 2005 reflects deep conviction in family law's potential for healing rather than harm. Before establishing her own practice, she worked extensively in civil and criminal litigation for busy Vermont firms and served as a staff attorney at Vermont Legal Aid, Inc., where she represented victims of domestic violence and individuals with psychiatric diagnoses in mental health commitment proceedings. This background in victim advocacy gives Nanci particular sensitivity to power dynamics and safety concerns within families. Her evolution toward specialization in family law reflects recognition that this practice area offers unique opportunity to guide families toward amicable resolution and genuine healing. Recognizing that traditional adversarial litigation often damages family relationships unnecessarily, particularly when children are involved, Nanci pursued advanced training in collaborative divorce and mediation. She is certified in both Collaborative Family Law and Collaborative Mediation, and maintains active membership in the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. This commitment to innovative approaches means Nanci guides clients toward solutions that preserve dignity and family relationships wherever possible while remaining a fierce advocate when litigation becomes necessary. The practice has earned respect throughout Vermont—Nanci regularly instructs other attorneys for the Vermont Bar Association and the National Business Institute on family law matters, sharing her expertise and progressive approach with the broader legal community. Her work has attracted clients from throughout Vermont and neighboring New York, where she also maintains legal licensure. Nanci approaches each client engagement with recognition that family law fundamentally differs from other practice areas—it involves people in their most vulnerable moments, making decisions that profoundly impact their and their children's futures. Through peaceful process options, thoughtful guidance, and unwavering advocacy, Nanci has helped hundreds of Vermont families transition through dissolution while preserving their dignity, protecting their children's wellbeing, and establishing foundations for cooperative co-parenting relationships that endure beyond divorce.