Alexandra Smyser

Professor Alexandra Smyser is a Certified Probate & Estate Planning Specialist at Southwestern Law School, joining in 2025. She teaches courses such as Estate Planning and Drafting. Her expertise spans trusts, wills, probates, conservatorships, and special needs trusts, with a focus on same-sex couples and elderly care planning. She graduated magna cum laude from Southwestern Law School and received multiple academic awards for exceptional performance in key legal courses.

Education:

• B.A., University of California, Irvine
• J.D., Southwestern Law School (magna cum laude)

Professional Background: After a decade in the entertainment industry, Professor Smyser transitioned to law following the loss of her parents, which inspired her focus on estate planning to reduce familial stress during grieving periods. She interned for the Honorable Dean D. Pregerson of the U.S. District Court.

Awards & Honors:

• Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction Award for highest grades in multiple courses, including Estate and Gift Tax, Property, Civil Procedure, Community Property, and Legal Research and Writing.

Advising & Public Service: No specific grants or advising details are mentioned, though her teaching and clinical focus align with public service through estate planning education.

Labs/Teams: No affiliated labs or research teams explicitly noted.