Meet Valerie
Valerie Powers Smith, CW3 Speaker
The 3rd Key to Financial Wellness: Negotiation
Valerie A. Powers Smith, Partner, Slovak Baron Empey Murphy & Pinkney LLP (“SBEMP”) with offices in Palm Springs, Indian Wells, San Diego, and Costa Mesa, CA; Princeton, NJ; and Manhattan, NY. Valerie has over twenty-one years of experience, practicing in the area of Trusts, Estates & Probate and Special Needs & Elder Law; and Chairs those Departments within SBEMP.
Valerie has written extensively, co-authored several publications, and lectured throughout California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and D.C.
Valerie has served on a variety of Boards and currently sits on the Board of Directors for Leadership Coachella Valley and the Desert Estate Planning Council.
In her free time, Valerie enjoys time with her husband, Dr. Mark Smith; rescue pups, Winston and Rhys; and polo ponies, Annabella, Prosecco, and B.I.G. Learn more at sbemp.com
Valerie’s Topic
The 3rd Key to Financial Wellness: Negotiation
This topic is important to Valerie because she sees it as critical to everyday functioning whether it be personal or professional. She believes we negotiate with ourselves from the moment we wake up to the moment our heads hit the pillow at night, that we negotiate with ourselves as to our lifestyle (what we eat, how we workout, who we socialize with, to what events or obligations we will commit ourselves,) and that we negotiate with our spouses/partners, and even with our kids (furry or human). And, for some of us, our jobs (like hers) are all about the art of negotiation to get the best result for our clients.
Fun facts about Valerie
She has been named Top Attorney in her practice areas, and been featured in Palm Springs Life Magazine for the past 9 years; and, just named a top attorney in NY by the NY Law Journal!
Valerie is the first female partner at SBEMP LLP
Entering her fourth year of polo! She owns two gorgeous polo ponies – Annabella and B.I.G.
