Stephen Smart was a partner in Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP's Litigation Department, with emphasis in the field of aboriginal law, family law, employment law and art law. He was called to the Bar in 1970 by the Law Society of Upper Canada. He was the Chair of Aboriginal Law Section for the Canadian Bar Association of Ontario from 1993 to 1994, a member of the National Executive Aboriginal Law Section from 1994 to 1995, and a member of the Family Law Section since 1970, to name a few.

Mr. Smart's previous experience includes time as an Instructor in Family Law Bar Admission Course at the Law Society of Upper Canada from 1973 to 1987 and also in 1994. He is a noted author of Aboriginal issues in Lawyer's weekly and the occasional lecturer on Aboriginal Law and Family Law.

Mr. Smart's community initiatives include the Founder and First Chairperson of the Friends of the Ontario College of Art Inc., and a member of the Advisory Committee for the Museum of Canadian Contemporary Art. Mr. Smart has also been appointed by the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, as the Chief Negotiator on behalf of the Government of Canada in negotiating self-government and education agreements with Nishnawbe-Aski First Nation (NAN) in Treaty No. 9 area, from 1997 to 2007.