Welcome to Blakely
Protecting Your Legacy, Defining Your Future.
Dedicated legal guidance in Estate Planning, Contract Law, and Notarial Services. We simplify the complex so you can move forward with confidence.
Randal C. Smith, Esq.
Founder | Blakely Best Practices Law, P.C.
Randal C. Smith is the founder of Blakely Best Practices Law, P.C., a firm grounded in the belief that good law is preventive, deliberate, and rooted in long-term thinking.
A Michigan native, Randal brings a Midwestern sensibility to his practice — practical, thoughtful, and relationship-driven — shaped by more than a decade of experience across federal agencies, regulatory bodies, and labor and employment law environments. His work has consistently focused on helping individuals and organizations navigate complex legal systems with clarity, structure, and foresight.
Randal earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, where he concentrated in labor law and human resources. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law, graduating in the top 20% of his class. During law school, he developed a strong foundation in negotiations, arbitration, mediation, legislative review, and legal writing — skills that continue to inform his approach to planning-focused legal services.
Professionally, Randal has served as an Attorney Advisor with the Social Security Administration, working at the federal appellate level to review and draft legally sufficient decisions, advise Administrative Law Judges, and ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory frameworks. He has also advised unions and employers on labor relations, collective bargaining, grievances, and employment compliance, and has supported investigations and litigation involving discrimination, retaliation, and systemic workplace practices.
Earlier in his career, Randal worked with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the District of Columbia Public Service Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, gaining broad exposure to administrative law, regulatory enforcement, and civil rights issues. He has also advised small businesses remotely for years, providing practical guidance on contracts, employment policies, and compliance strategies.
Through Blakely Best Practices Law, Randal now applies this experience to estate planning, modern asset planning, small business contracts, employment compliance, data privacy, cannabis business consulting, and notary services — all unified by a single philosophy: legal planning works best when it anticipates change rather than reacts to crisis.
Randal is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Illinois. He lives in Illinois with his two dogs, Korbyn and Pearl, who serve as daily reminders of the importance of stewardship, care, and planning for all members of the family — including the four-legged ones.
Practice Areas
Tailored legal solutions designed to protect your family, your business, and your peace of mind.
Estate Planning
Securing your family’s future through meticulous wills, trusts, and probate guidance.
Contract Law
Drafting and reviewing agreements that protect your interests and mitigate risk.
Notary Services
Efficient, reliable authentication for your most important legal documents.
How It Works
We start with a focused conversation to understand your specific needs and goals.
Our team develops a tailored legal roadmap, ensuring every detail is addressed.
We execute the plan, providing you with finalized documents and total peace of mind.
Looking for Legal Help?
Let’s discuss your next chapter. Professional counsel is just a conversation away.