Maha Rae Smith was born in New Hampshire and grew up in Oakland, California. She graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 2003 with degrees in Political Science and Rhetoric. She attended law school at The University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, graduating in 2008. At McGeorge, Maha was on the Dean's Honor List and co-taught an appellate advocacy discussion section as a member of the Appellate Advocacy Honors Board.

Maha began practicing Workers' Compensation at Cuneo, Black, Ward & Missler shortly after becoming a member of the California Bar in December, 2008. She enjoys food, music, camping, science fiction, and traveling to distant parts of the globe.