Jose Teofilo Smeke Sanchez, LL.M. Class of 2022

1. What country are you from and where did you get your law degree?

I’m from México and I got my law degree from Facultad Libre de Derecho de Monterrey. Also, I have two tax graduates and I have attended more than 10 seminars on tax defense and amparo proceedings in México.

2.  Tell us something about yourself and your country of origin?
Ever since I was in high school, I always knew that I wanted to be a tax attorney.

Currently, I have been working for more than 5 years and have won multiple cases in the Tax Court of Mexico. This gives me satisfaction because with each trial that is won, precedents are created that help to avoid arbitrariness in the tax collection.

3.  Why did you decide to seek a graduate degree in the U.S. and what attracted you to SMU Law?
I consider that one of the keys to professional success derives largely from academic preparation, which is why I was interested in SMU, as it is one of the universities that offers the best tools for this and has a spectrum of highly qualified professors in every subject.

4.  What has been your favorite class?
It is difficult to choose because they all fascinate me; although answering the question, my favorite class is International Taxation. I really enjoy the topics we see in class and the different perspectives on how taxes work in different countries. Also, Professor Hannah is an excellent teacher, I love his method, he is a very patient person and he transmits his passion of learning to students.

5.  What is your favorite thing to do in Dallas?
I’m a Dallas Cowboy fan, so I enjoy going to the games. On the other hand, I love going to Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse and eat a good steak with a glass of wine.

6.  What are you planning to do after graduation?
As I mentioned before, academic preparation does not end and must be constant, we must always be learning. After graduating, I will begin the career of Public Accountant to have a more complete and specialized profile in the ambit of taxes and be able to litigate with more technical knowledge.

7.  What tips or advise do you have for a new LL.M. student?
I would say that organization is vital because the workload is heavy and the energy is limited, but at the end of the road, the payoff is worth it.