Since 1996, Mark T. Smith has been a partner at the law firm of Atwood & Cherny, P.C., concentrating his practice in the area of complex matrimonial matters and custody disputes both at the trial and appellate levels. In addition to his trial practice, he is also versed in all forms of alternate dispute resolution including mediation in which he serves a neutral to assist parties in reaching a mediated agreement. He also performs case evaluations, arbitration and is frequently selected by the Court as an appointed master in various aspects of family law matters.

In addition to his family law practice, Mr. Smith is a member of a number of family law organizations. He currently serves as Vice President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Probate & Family Inns of Court, a member of the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education's Curriculum Advisory Committee, a member of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council and is a past member of the Family Law Steering Committee of the Boston Bar Association, where he served as a co-chair of several committees. He also is a frequent lecturer at various continuing legal education courses and has authored articles and teaching materials on family law topics. He has also been included in the Best Lawyers in America and Law & Politics/Boston Magazine listing of "Massachusetts Super Lawyers" in the field of family law.

Mr. Smith is a 1984 graduate of New England School of Law and received an undergraduate degree in Government from St. Lawrence University in 1981. He is a member of the Massachusetts, Vermont and American Bar Associations and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court and the Supreme Court of the United States. His past positions include Press Secretary and Director of Communications for the Massachusetts House of Representatives Minority Leader's Office, Special Counsel to a Fortune 500 Healthcare company and Of Counsel to the law firm of Thomas C. Troy & Associates.

Mr. Smith and his firm have been involved in a number of family law appellate decisions which have had a significant role in shaping family law today in Massachusetts, including most recently, two Supreme Judicial Court decisions, DeMatteo v. DeMatteo and Austin v. Austin, which overturned the lower courts judgments concerning prenuptial agreements (see Significant Cases).

In describing his approach to representing his clients in matrimonial matters Mr. Smith states, "Being able to guide a client through a contentious divorce process in an expeditious fashion is one of the keys to being a good divorce attorney. Some cases simply need court intervention while others can and should be negotiated outside of the courtroom. Recognizing the difference is the key to effective representation and achieving the best result for the client."