District 196 is eager to announce the selection of Shannon Smith as its new deputy general counsel. Smith will work with General Counsel Adam Wattenbarger in the district’s legal department.

“I am honored to join the dedicated team at District 196,” Smith said. “I have focused my career on representing public schools in Minnesota, and I'm excited to bring that experience here and support the district's work on behalf of students, staff, and the broader community.”

Smith comes to the district from the Kennedy & Graven law firm, where she has worked as an attorney representing Minnesota public school districts since September 2022. Prior to that, she served as a law clerk for Judge Jeanne M. Cochran on the Minnesota Court of Appeals for two years, after graduating from law school at the University of North Carolina. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also worked in public schools as a teaching assistant and instructional assistant. 

“Shannon is a thoughtful, talented, and collaborative attorney,” Wattenbarger said. “Her experience and passion for education law will be a major asset to the district. I’m thrilled to get to partner with her to do this important work.”  

As deputy general counsel, Smith will support the district in many legal areas, including labor and employment, special education, elections, contract review, data practices, and more. She will start her new position on April 14, 2026.