Prior to practicing law, he taught social studies, English, and speech, and coached forensics at Locke High School in South Los Angeles. Jeriel has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations including World Federalist Association, Meditation Groups, Inc. (Meditation Mount in Ojai), the Los Angeles Intergroup, Inc., and Inspiring Notes, Inc. Jeriel earned his law degree from the UCLA School of Law, a bachelor's degree in political science from UCLA, and a California Lifetime Teaching Credential in social studies and English. He has three children and lives in Tujunga with his wife Jerry Ann Harrel-Smith, PhD.