Amanda Smith

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• Amanda Smith

  Rated by Super Lawyers
  
  
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• Amanda Smith

  Rated by Super Lawyers
  
  
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Amanda L. Smith, Esq. is a Partner in Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Buffalo office, where she focuses her practice on Federal and New York State Employment and Labor Law, Civil Litigation and New York State Education Law. Amanda serves as the Firm’s Chair for the New York State Education Law Practice, as well as the Deputy Chair for the New York State Labor and Employment Practice.

Amanda actively represents clients in federal, state and private employment law matters, including claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower actions and disciplinary matters. She has experience in matters pending before administrative tribunals and agencies to include the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), New York State Department of Human Rights (DHR), New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC). Amanda has also represented students and parents in matters concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation and negligence by a District, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), pending Superintendent’s Hearing or other disciplinary actions, and appeals to respective Boards of Education and/or the New York Department of Education Commissioner. Amanda has also assisted college or university students regarding grade appeals or appeals of program dismissals, and in matters of discrimination, harassment or retaliation, failures to accommodate, among other complaints, internal or external.

Prior to joining Tully Rinckey, Amanda interned at the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security. Amanda has consistently focused on research, working as a Research Assistant at the University at Buffalo Law School, where she provided legal academic research in international environmental principles as applied by the United States domestically and in foreign relations. During her time at Niagara University, as a Research and Teaching Assistant, Amanda focused her research on statistics and racial profiling and stereotypes.

Amanda was named Super Lawyers “Rising Star” from 2023-2025 and also received the 2025 Lawdragon 500 X Next Generation award.

Amanda is admitted to practice law in New York State. She obtained her law degree from the University at Buffalo Law School, State University Of New York and her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Political Science, with a minor in International Studies, from Niagara University.

Articles and Publications

• Amanda has made multiple presentations documenting her research on psychology matters, diversity, racial profiling and other subjects.

Webinars

• The Federal Employees Retirement System: Disability Retirement Eligibility, Applications and Appeals
• General Overview of Article 15 of the Human Rights Law in Employment
• The Federal Employees Retirement System – Eligibility, Applications, and Appeal
• Now in Effect: The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act – What Federal Employees Need to Know
• The Steps You Need to Know When Filing Your Formal EEO Complaint
• MSPB Appeals Process

Articles

• What to Do if You Are Appreciated at Home but Discriminated Against at Work
• The Difference Between Title IX Investigations and School Discipline Proceedings in New York State
• Are You Being Paid Fairly? What to Know about the Fair Labor Standards Act
• How New York State’s Pay Transparency Laws Impact Workplace Disputes
• What to Do if You are Misclassified as an Independent Contractor
• What to Do If Your Employer Refuses to Accommodate You
• Wage Theft in New York State: How Employees Can Spot It and What to Do
• What Counts as Wrongful Termination Under Employment Law?
• How To File a Wage and Hour Claim in New York State
• Prenatal Leave, Other Changes in New York Law to Prepare For 2025

Court & Bar Admissions

• New York State

Education

• JD: University at Buffalo Law School, State University Of New York
• BA: Niagara University, Psychology and Political Science. Minor: International Studies

Accreditations/Awards

• Criminal Law Certificate, Cum Laude (GPA 3.63 on a 4.00 scale)