by Janet Landry Smith
March 2020

Ashley has a passion for service and leadership, and we are thrilled that she has found a place and a community in DAYL, in which to develop and share in those ambitions. Her “roll up your sleeves” attitude and driven spirit can be seen in all that she does, from working tirelessly for her clients, to devoting countless hours to the charities she serves.

A fifth-year associate at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Ashley’s commercial real estate practice includes broad experience representing buyers, sellers, developers, borrowers, and investors in nationwide acquisitions, dispositions, and development of vacant and developed real property. She has advised on financing, and worked on corporate transactions, including formation and structuring of property-related joint ventures and investment funds, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Ashley practiced at Winstead PC in Dallas.

Ashley earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from SMU Dedman School of Law, where she served as a CLE Editor for the SMU Law Review Association as well as the Vice President of Development and Vice President of Programs for the Women in Law Association, and was involved with many other student organizations. In 2013 Ashley also participated in the SMU Law Study Abroad Program at University College, Oxford. But her first love will always be the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘em!), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, magna cum laude, with a Business Foundations Certificate.

During her time with DAYL, Ashley has participated with several committees, most recently serving for a second year as a Co-Chair of the DAYL Freedom Run Committee, where she has been instrumental in coordinating race-day volunteer efforts, securing sponsorships, and assisting with set up and day-of logistics. Moreover, Ashley has not only given of her time and efforts, she has also brought others into the organization by welcoming friends and colleagues into various DAYL activities and committees. Ashley is also a part of the Aid to the Homeless Committee, and volunteered this year with the annual homeless count event.

When she’s not practicing law, Ashley can be found attending a DAYL or Commercial Real Estate Women (“CREW”) event, volunteering for the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas (200+ hours to date), cheering on her Cowboys and Mavs, and traveling the world (15 countries to date). Ashley also enjoys topping the charts in her spin classes (usually at 5:00 a.m., and sometimes twice a day!) or spending time with friends around town. Her hard work and passion for excellence are surpassed only by her huge heart, and devotion to her family, friends, and community. For all these reasons, Ashley is this month’s One to Watch.