Marissa Jacquet-Smoothy
At PeopleDem property we believe in celebrating our community by spotlighting black excellence in property. Today we are celebrating Marissa Jacquet-Smoothy.
Marissa is a Commercial Property Partner at Grove Tompkins Bosworth Solicitors, based in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. With more than 10 years of experience in the real estate sector, she began her legal career as a paralegal at a large commercial firm in Birmingham before progressing into private practice.
Grove Tompkins Bosworth has long provided legal services to businesses and individuals in and around Birmingham. While the firm now serves clients across the UK, its ethos remains unchanged: delivering high-quality legal services in a straightforward, personable way, while providing practical and commercial solutions tailored to clients’ needs.
Marissa’s journey into law began at a young age. Inspired by her grandfather, who was a magistrate in the family courts, she grew up certain she would become a family lawyer. Watching him leave for court each day made a lasting impression, and she was fully committed to following a similar path. However, that changed at university. While studying law, she realised family law was not the right fit, but discovered a passion for land law, which sparked her love for property.
What Marissa enjoys most about property law is its collaborative nature. Although parties may begin a transaction on opposite sides, they are often working toward the same goal achieving a positive outcome that benefits everyone involved.
Marissa joined Grove Tompkins Bosworth in 2015 as a Trainee Solicitor, qualified in 2017, and became a Partner in 2022. This was a historic milestone, as she became the firm’s first Black female partner and did so before the age of 35.
She believes Birmingham is often underrated and takes pride in being involved in developments that help shape and grow the city. Today, Marissa specialises in commercial property, with a focus on commercial leases, leasehold enfranchisement, and auction sales and purchases.
Her work has earned significant recognition. She was shortlisted for Solicitor of the Year at the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards in 2022 and went on to win Birmingham Law Society Partner of the Year in 2024.
When asked about the qualities that have helped her excel in her career, Marissa shared what she considers her superpower:
“As someone who plays a lot of sport, I am quite competitive. I always have a goal and push myself to achieve it. I also value being part of a team and ensuring my contributions are worthwhile.”
Despite her achievements, Marissa is clear that she has not reached this point alone. She credits a number of mentors and Black female role models who have shaped her journey and whom she is proud to now call friends, including Yetunde Dania, Bridget Tatham and Denise Morris.
Even with this support, Marissa found the transition to partnership challenging. After years focused solely on being a lawyer, she suddenly found herself involved in every aspect of the business, including business development and firm management. One resource she found particularly valuable was The Perfect Legal Business by former Managing Partner and law firm management consultant Simon McCrum.
The book introduced her to a modern framework for law firm management built around key pillars such as intelligent client selection, proactive client care, purposeful leadership, value-based pricing, and the importance of cash flow. It helped her see law firm management as an ongoing and dynamic problem-solving exercise one that can shape the fortunes of firms, their people and their clients.
Looking ahead, Marissa’s priorities have evolved. Reflecting on her future goals, she shared:
“Having just returned from a year off on maternity leave, my current focus is on reconnecting with my network and achieving a good work-life balance.”
Longer term, she hopes to continue growing the firm while mentoring as many aspiring young lawyers as possible.
Marissa is also much more than a law firm partner. She has served on a number of race and equality boards, is a passionate sportsperson, a classically trained soprano singer, and a qualified deep-sea diver.
It is an honour to share Marissa’s story. Becoming a law firm partner at such a young age has inspired many Black girls and young women considering careers in law. Equally impactful is the support she continues to offer young Black lawyers through mentorship, guidance and opportunity.
