Ashanté Latanya Smith

Partner

804.697.1321

More ways to contact Ashanté Latanya Smith

Lenders and loan servicers trust Ashanté to guide them through the challenges that arise in closing multifamily financing loans. Clients benefit from her depth of experience in tax-free municipal bonds and subordinate financing for affordable housing projects.

Firm News

Troutman Pepper Partner Ashanté Smith Named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s 2022 Class of Influential Women of Law
Overview
Insights
Awards

Ashanté helps lenders and loan servicers structure, negotiate, and execute multifamily finance and commercial loan transactions that are intended to be sold in the secondary market in connection with Fannie Mae’s Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (DUS) product line and Freddie Mac’s Capital Markets Execution (CME) program. She handles a variety of financing arrangements, including a combination of construction and permanent financing and tax credits, and has particular experience with tax-free municipal bonds and affordable housing projects.

Clients depend on Ashanté to lead the dealmaking process from start to finish, and appreciate her proactive approach in addressing the legal, procedural or other changes that affect the way lenders do business. She is known for her deep industry knowledge and ability to facilitate dealmaking with precision.

Ashanté is a member of a national team of attorneys and real estate professionals who provide end-to-end guidance and management for thousands of transactions originated by the firm’s mortgage lending clients each year. Their industry-leading efficiencies and best practices have helped them become widely recognized as the top practice for multifamily finance in the United States.

  • Virginia Lawyers Weekly, “Influential Women of Law” (2022)
  • Named among Most Influential Black Lawyers, Savoy Magazine (2018)
  • Rising Star, Real Estate, Law & Politics’ Virginia Super Lawyers (2008, 2010-2011)
Overview

Ashanté helps lenders and loan servicers structure, negotiate, and execute multifamily finance and commercial loan transactions that are intended to be sold in the secondary market in connection with Fannie Mae’s Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (DUS) product line and Freddie Mac’s Capital Markets Execution (CME) program. She handles a variety of financing arrangements, including a combination of construction and permanent financing and tax credits, and has particular experience with tax-free municipal bonds and affordable housing projects.

Clients depend on Ashanté to lead the dealmaking process from start to finish, and appreciate her proactive approach in addressing the legal, procedural or other changes that affect the way lenders do business. She is known for her deep industry knowledge and ability to facilitate dealmaking with precision.

Ashanté is a member of a national team of attorneys and real estate professionals who provide end-to-end guidance and management for thousands of transactions originated by the firm’s mortgage lending clients each year. Their industry-leading efficiencies and best practices have helped them become widely recognized as the top practice for multifamily finance in the United States.

Insights

Firm News

Troutman Pepper Partner Ashanté Smith Named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s 2022 Class of Influential Women of Law

See all insights from Ashanté Latanya Smith

Awards
  • Virginia Lawyers Weekly, “Influential Women of Law” (2022)
  • Named among Most Influential Black Lawyers, Savoy Magazine (2018)
  • Rising Star, Real Estate, Law & Politics’ Virginia Super Lawyers (2008, 2010-2011)

Top areas of focus

  • Virginia State Bar
  • American Bar Association
  • National Bar Association
  • Virginia Bar Association
  • Mortgage Bankers Association of America
  • INROADS Alumni Association – Richmond Chapter
  • University of Virginia Law School Foundation, Board of Trustees (2022-present)
  • United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, Board of Directors (2021-present)
  • Greater Richmond Fit4Kids, Inc., Board of Directors (2021-present)
  • Nominating Committee, Troutman Pepper Locke (2025-present)
  • Nominating Committee, Troutman Pepper (2020-2024)
  • Women’s Network, Troutman Pepper Locke (2014-present)
  • The Ridley Scholarship Fund, National Board Member & Scholarship Comm. co-chair (2014-2017)
  • University of Virginia Law Alumni Council (2014-2017)
  • Recruiting Committee, Troutman Sanders (2008, 2011-2019)
  • Inclusion Committee, Troutman Pepper Locke (2007, 2009-2025)

Education

  • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 2002
  • University of Virginia, B.A., 1999

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia
  • Cornell University, Diversity and Inclusion Certification, 2022