Mary Dohner Smith

Mary is the head of the Nashville office with experience involving every aspect of the employment relationship. She has been involved in complex litigation involving all aspects of Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, the FLSA, USERRA, retaliatory discharge, and state law claims for breach of contract, fraud, negligence, and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Before joining Constangy, Mary worked in human resources in both unionized and non-unionized facilities.  As a result, Mary believes strongly in working closely with clients to resolve issues before they become lawsuits.  Mary also enjoys speaking and providing training on relevant legal topics based on her experience, such as the re-employment of soldiers pursuant to USERRA, harassment and termination procedures.

• ABA/TIPS Leadership Academy (2010-2011)
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® for Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Litigation - Labor and Employment (2016-2022, 2024-2025)
• Recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" in Nashville, TN for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants in The Best Lawyers in America^® (2021)
• Best of the Bar, Nashville Business Journal (2017)
• Chambers USA Guide^® (2016-2024)
• Chambers USA Guide^® - Up and coming (2013, 2015) 
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation 
• Mid-South Super Lawyers^® (2017-2019, 2022)
• Patriot Award, Employer Support for the Guard & Reserve (ESGR)
• Rising Star, Mid-South Super Lawyers^® (2009-2012)
• Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Program (2009)

• Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce
• American Bar Association, Trial, Tort & Insurance Practice Section
  • Corporate Counsel Vice Chair
  • Leadership Academy 
• Tennessee Bar Association, Board of Governors 
  • Treasurer
  • Leadership Law Steering Committee
  • Glass Ceiling Taskforce 
  • Mentoring Taskforce 
• Nashville Bar Association, Law Day Committee
• Middle Tennessee Society for Human Resources Management
• Lawyers’ Association for Women, Marion Griffin Chapter, Past President
• Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
• F.W. Ladies Auxiliary

Mary enjoys spending her free time with her husband, Travis, and their two children. As a family, they enjoy traveling, boating, camping and cheering for their favorite college and professional football teams. Mary also enjoys reading and cooking.

• "Navigating Generational Differences in the Workplace", presented at the MPL Corporate Counsel Workshop, November 2022
• "Developing Your Strengths & Most Productive Workstyle," presented at the Women in Law & Leadership Summit, Chicago, IL, June 6
• “The Americans with Disabilities Act,” presented for the Tennessee Bar Association Corporate Counsel Committee Symposium
• “Employment Law Update Seminar,” presented for Sterling Education Services, July 2011
• “We're All Disabled Now - The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act,” presented for the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
• “A Personal Account of the Nashville Flood,” National Conference of Women's Bar Associations Newsletter
• “Title IX: Is Reform Needed?,” presented for Vanderbilt University Law School Panel Discussion
• “Data Breaches: Current Developments, Guidelines & Practical Preparations,” Nashville Bar Association A.W. Matters
• “Off the Wall Employment Questions,” presented for the Council on Education in Management
• “USERRA - What Employers Need To Know,” presented for the Tennessee Department of Workforce Development
• “Harassment in the Workplace,” presented for Sterling Education Services
• “Lessons from the Field - My First Trial,” American Bar Association, Trial Practice Newsletter

The best advice I received from a mentor

It is a sign of maturity rather than weakness to ask for help when you need it.

Sports team I root for most

I was born and raised in Wisconsin so I root for the Green Bay Packers!  Yes, I have a cheese head!

What I would be if I wasn't a lawyer

If I were not a lawyer, I would host a travel show.  Who wouldn't love to get paid to travel the world!