In June of 2007, James Smiertka became the General Counsel for the Prima Civitas Foundation (PCF), a regional economic development agency. As General Counsel for PCF, Mr. Smiertka oversees legal matters related to PCF activities and assists with general economic development matters for the tri-county area of Ingham, Clinton and Eaton Counties.
Prior to his engagement with PCF, Mr. Smiertka served for over three years as senior policy executive and special assistant for legal affairs with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG). From 1994-2004, Mr. Smiertka was the appointed City Attorney for Lansing, Michigan. Other professional positions held by Mr. Smiertka in the past include: Assistant City Attorney for Kalamazoo Michigan; Associate in a general law practice in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Senior Vice President and director of the legal department for a bank in Oakland County, Michigan; General Counsel for the Pontiac Silverdome and its Operating Authority; and Deputy City Attorney for Pontiac, Michigan.
A native of Detroit, Jim graduated from the University of Detroit with a bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis on finance. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the Detroit College of Law, which is now part of Michigan State University.
