He graduated from the University of Virginia (B.A. 1981), and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law, College of William and Mary (J.D. 1984; Master of Law and Taxation 1985). He is a member of the Virginia State Bar (Taxation; Trust & Estates Sections); the American Bar Association (Taxation; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Sections); the Virginia Bar Association; and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association. Mr. Howard-Smith is also a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.