Smiley

Martha Smiley has extensive experience in counseling and serving public, private, governmental, and non-profit clients and organizations. A founding member of Grande Communications, Inc., and a principal of Triad, Inc., she was named partner of a regional law firm specializing in serving business before government bodies. She also served as Regional Counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency, Region VI, and as Chief of the Taxation Division, Office of the Texas Attorney General.

Appellate & Written Advocacy

• Offers telecommunications clients counseling and strategic business analysis of legal, regulatory, and legislative developments related to their operations.
• Develops legislation and regulatory frameworks for a transitioning competitive communications industry.
• Advises clients on corporate structure and governance.

• Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association Pathfinder Award, 2020
• ADL Trailblazer Award, 2017
• Distinguished Lawyer Award, Austin Bar Association, 2017
• Presidential Citation, awarded by President Bill Powers, University of Texas at Austin, April 2015
• First Tee Award for "Sportsmanship", 2014
• Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Mobility Advocate of the Year, 2013
• E3 Alliance Architect for Change, 2013
• Exceptional Award for an Honorary Alumnus, Leadership Austin, 2011
• Woman of Distinction awarded by Girl Scouts of Central Texas, 2010
• University of Texas Law Alumni Association, Distinguished Alumnus Award for Community Service, 2002
• Profiles in Power Leader awarded by the Austin Business Journal, 2001
• Woman of the Year — Business Enterprise, awarded by the YWCA of Greater Austin, 2000
• Honorary Order of the Coif, awarded by The University of Texas School of Law, Spring 1997
• Woman of Merit, Omicron Delta Kappa, Baylor University, 1995
• Texas National Research Laboratory Commission (oversight of the Superconducting Super Collider, a high-energy physics research facility under construction as a project of the United States Department of Energy), Vice Chair, 1991–1993
• Outstanding Achievement, Travis County Women Lawyers' Association, 1991
• Outstanding Woman in Justice, American Association of University Women, 1978
• One of Six Outstanding Women of Austin, Austin American Statesman, 1975

• Texas, 1972

• University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 1972
• Baylor University, B.A., Sociology, 1969
  • President of Student Body, 1968-1969

• State Bar of Texas
• Austin Bar Association
• University of Texas System Board of Regents, 1993–1999
  • Vice Chair, 1995–1997
• University of Texas System Chancellor's Council Executive Committee, 2003–2013
• University of Texas, The Longhorn Foundation, President, 2013–2014
• Intercollegiate Athletics Council for Women, University of Texas at Austin, Ex-Students Representative, 2008–2012
• Center for Women in the Law, University of Texas School of Law, Founder, 2008
• Alumni Association Executive Committee, University of Texas School of Law, 2011–2014

• Waterloo Greenway Conservancy Board, 2019-Present
  • Chair, 2025 
• The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Executive Committee Member, 2012
  • Vice Chair, Mobility and Transportation
• Grande Communications, Employee Giving Program
  • Founder, 2000–2006
  • President, 2000–2006
• Austin Community Foundation Board, 2007–2009
• Austin Area Research Organization (“AARO”), Member 2002–2021, President, 2010
• KLRU (Public Television), Board 1998–2004, 2007–2013
  • Board Chair, 2001–2002
• SafePlace Foundation, Board, 1995–2002
  • Chair, 2000
• Austin Area Urban League, Board Member, 1976–1979