William Smith joins Cornerstone with a wealth of experience in politics and government affairs, particularly working with the financial services industry in Illinois. Prior to joining Cornerstone, he served as General Counsel to a state chartered community bank which managed more than one billion dollars in assets and operated subsidiary insurance and title insurance agencies. In that role, Mr. Smith worked at the state and national levels on legislative initiatives that affected the industry. Bill has experience working on campaigns at every level of government in the State of Illinois including executive offices, legislative and judicial. He has served on the Legislative Division of the Community Bank Association of Illinois. In 2011, the Illinois Supreme Court selected Bill to serve on its foreclosure crisis commission to develop recommendations on legislative and procedural changes to address the impact of the foreclosure crisis throughout the state. Based upon his significant experience and network of relationships, Bill provides his clients with a strong and experienced advocate in the state legislative and regulatory arenas. In addition to his state experience and contacts, he maintains very good working relationships with the members and staff of the Illinois congressional delegation. Bill graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1988 with a B.A in Government and DePaul University College of Law in 1991 where he graduated cum laude and was inducted into the Order of the Coif.