Professor Schmitz joined the Colorado Law School faculty in 2000, leaving private legal practice with Faegre & Benson LLP, in its Minneapolis office, and the Seattle office of Stoel Rives LLP. Her practice in Stoel Rives' Construction and Design Group focused on commercial issues, and included representation of a variety of parties in litigation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution processes. Her current research project focuses on analysis and enforcement of contractual promises to participate in private dispute resolution processes not governed by statute.