Mountain Dearborn welcomes Trusts and Estates attorney Sierra J. Smarra as an Associate. Sierra brings to the firm extensive experience with drafting legal documents and administering estates and trusts, as well as commercial banking experience with processing high-end financial transactions.
“I always thought I’d want to be an attorney,” says Sierra, recalling the influence of a teacher who encouraged her to build a legal career, given her love of language and history. She was drawn to estate planning by her interest in finance and her family’s experience. Both of her grandparents had Alzheimer’s and lived for years in a nursing home. “I want to help people to avoid losing everything,” she says.
Prior to joining Mountain Dearborn in April, Sierra worked for six years at Boston law firms in estate planning and administration while studying for her law degree at Suffolk University, where she was a member of the Suffolk Law Review. From 2014-2016, she specialized in client relations and processing multi-million-dollar financial transactions at State Street Bank and Trust Company.
A diligent professional with a sharp eye for detail, Sierra loves the financial side of law, as well as drafting documents and advising clients. “I want to make a difference in people’s lives,” she says. Choosing this career is her way of following her immigrant family’s example, to strive for excellence and serve her community.