Natalie Smider

Natalie Smider is a distinguished attorney and legal consultant at JCE Law Group, bringing extensive expertise and dedication to her practice. Licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Natalie’s diverse legal background allows her to serve a broad spectrum of clients, from individuals and families to businesses, with precision and compassion.

Throughout her career, Natalie has cultivated a deep understanding of multiple areas of law. Her private practice experience encompasses family law, personal injury, estate planning, and litigation support. She has skillfully guided clients through complex legal processes, including deposition preparation, testimony, and cross-examination. Natalie’s work in drafting legal documents and leading litigation preparation has equipped her with the tools to be an effective advocate in and out of the courtroom. One of her most notable experiences was serving as second chair in a significant family law case involving the guardianship of an adult with a traumatic brain injury—an experience that solidified her role as a compassionate and unwavering advocate for her clients.

Natalie’s academic accomplishments are equally impressive. She completed an MBA program at Wheeling Jesuit University, where she also served as a Graduate Assistant. Her leadership extended into higher education law, where she worked directly with university counsel, the Title IX Coordinator, and the Chief Conduct Officer. As a team leader, she managed a team of forty residential assistants and oversaw five on-campus residential buildings, further honing her leadership and organizational skills.

Her legal journey also includes prestigious clerkships with both a Beaver County Criminal Law Judge and a Beaver County Family Law Judge, providing her with invaluable insights into the judicial system. In addition, Natalie has applied her legal knowledge to assist small businesses as a labor law consultant and human resources specialist.

At JCE Law Group, Natalie leverages her broad legal experience and academic background to deliver tailored solutions to her clients. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and her ability to navigate complex legal matters make her a key asset to the firm and a trusted advocate for those she serves.

Natalie Smider’s legal career is marked by a breadth of experience across diverse areas of law, reflecting her commitment to excellence and client-centered advocacy. In private practice, she developed a strong foundation in client relations—emphasizing the importance of active listening, setting realistic expectations, and maintaining accountability. Natalie understands the privilege of serving others, recognizing that clients place their trust in her to guide them through challenging legal matters with diligence and respect.

Natalie has also had the honor of serving two judicial clerkships, which profoundly shaped her legal perspective. Working closely with family law and criminal law judges, she gained invaluable insights into the complexities of the legal system and observed firsthand the practices of seasoned attorneys. These experiences deepened her understanding of the human element in law, as she encountered individuals at some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. This background sharpened her communication skills, enabling her to connect with clients and colleagues on both a professional and empathetic level.

In addition to her clerkships, Natalie has excelled as a document review and contract attorney, where her sharp legal research abilities and capacity to synthesize and manage large volumes of complex information have been instrumental. Her leadership in managing legal teams further underscored her ability to drive efficiency and accuracy in high-stakes environments.

Natalie’s work in higher education law has also been invaluable to her development as a legal professional. As an Area Coordinator, she managed a large team of Resident Assistants and oversaw campus residence halls, which enhanced her leadership capabilities. She then transitioned into legal work, serving directly under the University’s Special Counsel. In this capacity, she was responsible for compliance, acting as Chief Conduct Officer, where she revamped the Student Handbook and introduced initiatives like the “Last Chance Agreement” for repeat offenders. Natalie also instituted a restorative justice program for minor infractions, showcasing her forward-thinking approach to policy and discipline.

As a Title IX Coordinator, Natalie handled some of her most impactful work, overseeing the entire process of Title IX complaints from investigation through resolution. She collaborated with local law enforcement, conducted campus-wide and athlete-specific training sessions, and worked with peer institutions to enhance programming. Her leadership in these areas reflects her dedication to fostering safe and inclusive environments.

In her role as a Labor Law Consultant, Natalie represented clients across the United States in employment disputes and negotiations, successfully guiding them through complex legal landscapes. Her work has encompassed collective bargaining agreements, grievance procedures, arbitrations, drafting workplace policies, wage and hour claims, workplace safety and compliance, discrimination cases, and workplace harassment training. Natalie’s expertise extends to preparing clients for employee terminations and defending against wrongful termination claims.

Natalie’s diverse legal experience underscores her adaptability, leadership, and unwavering commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for her clients.

• Natalie served as second chair in a high-profile family law case involving the guardianship of an adult with a traumatic brain injury, where she demonstrated her compassionate and committed advocacy for her clients.
• She held prestigious clerkships with both a Beaver County Criminal Law Judge and a Beaver County Family Law Judge, giving her deep insights into judicial proceedings and shaping her legal perspective.
• Natalie led the handling of Title IX complaints at Wheeling Jesuit University from investigation to resolution, collaborating with law enforcement and delivering training programs. Her work helped foster safe and inclusive environments on campus.
• She represented clients in employment disputes, collective bargaining agreements, workplace safety compliance, and discrimination cases across the United States, successfully navigating complex labor law issues.
• As Chief Conduct Officer at Wheeling Jesuit University, she overhauled the Student Handbook, introduced the “Last Chance Agreement” for repeat offenders, and established a restorative justice program for minor infractions.
• In her capacity as a labor law consultant, Natalie prepared workplace policies and defended clients against wrongful termination claims, showcasing her expertise in labor and employment law.

• MBA, Wheeling Jesuit University, Summa Cum Laude, May 2017
• JD, Western Michigan University Cooley Law School 2013, Cum Laude, Business Transactions Concentration, September 2013
• BA, Wheeling Jesuit University 2011, Cum Laude, Political & Economic Philosophy with a Concentration in Business, May 2011
• CALI Award and Certificate of Merit in Labor Law
• CALI Award and Certificate of Merit in Alternative Dispute Resolution

Natalie has earned multiple honors and recognition for his legal skills and achievements:

• Licensed Attorney in State of Pennsylvania
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Licensed Attorney in State of New Jersey
• New Jersey Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Beaver County Bar Association
• Women in Law Association

• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey