Atty. David E. Smith
Professional Experience Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated Attorney In his 30-year legal career, attorney David Smith has learned that when people are seriously injured, or have lost a family member because of someone's negligence or carelessness, they want their attorney to possess three essential qualities: Experience, Compassion, and Integrity, as well as a track record of proven results in tough cases in the courtroom. David's experience spans decades of providing aggressive and effective advocacy for seriously injured plaintiffs throughout California and all 50 states.
Medical Malpractice & More Attorney · Serving Sacramento, CA · 50+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About David E. Smith at a Glance
David E. Smith is a Partner based in Sacramento, California, practicing at Smith Zitano Law Firm LLP. They have 50+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1976. Their practice focuses on discrimination, medical malpractice, wrongful death, personal injury, and slip & fall. Admitted to practice in California (1976). Educated at University of San Francisco (B.A., 1970) and University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law J.D. 1976 Traynor Honor Society (—). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serves clients in Sacramento, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About David E. Smith
- Professional Experience Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated Attorney In his 30-year legal career, attorney David Smith has learned that when people are seriously injured, or have lost a family member because of someone's negligence or carelessness, they want their attorney to possess three essential qualities: Experience, Compassion, and Integrity, as well as a track record of proven results in tough cases in the courtroom
- David's experience spans decades of providing aggressive and effective advocacy for seriously injured plaintiffs throughout California and all 50 states
- In recognition of his many significant jury verdicts and settlements in a wide range of serious injury cases, David Smith has been selected for membership in ABOTA, the American Board of Trial Advocacy
- Membership in ABOTA is an honor which is granted only to those advocates and trial attorneys who are recognized by their peers in the legal community to possess the highest level of trial advocacy skills and professional ethics
- Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, paralysis, burns, medical malpractice, disability discrimination, birth injuries, nursing home and elder abuse, and medication error cases are among the most complex and challenging types of personal injury cases for an attorney to effectively litigate or take to jury trial
- The trial attorney must master the complex medical issues, communicate to the jury the catastrophic effect of serious injuries upon human lives, and possess the ability to credibly establish the financial loss and damages, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering experienced by accident victims
- David is widely recognized and respected for his hard-earned medical and pharmaceutical knowledge and experience
- He has been a frequent lecturer to other attorneys, as well as to health care providers, on a wide range of medical topics and the handling of complex medical issues
- This experience provides him with a keen understanding of the causes as well as the long term consequences of catastrophic physical injuries
- He has lectured on a wide range of medical-legal issues including the cross examination of medical expert witnesses, the effective presentation of medical evidence at trial, medication and drug errors, the trial of medical and pharmacy malpractice cases, internet medical research, and medical technology, including the obtaining and effective use of electronic medical records (EMR)
- Most importantly, David puts his experience and expansive medical knowledge to work for each and every one of his clients to insure that they receive the maximum compensation possible for their injuries and losses
- Professional Associations American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) - Member, 2005 - 2011 Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) - Member, 1990 - 2011 · 2010 - Recipient CAOC Award of Merit · 2010 - 2011 - At Large Member Board of Directors · 2005 - 2009 - Member Board of Governors Capitol City Trial Lawyers Association (CCTLA) - Member, 1990 - 2011 · 1994 - 2011 - Board of Directors · 2001 - President · 2003 - Award of Merit San Francisco Trial Lawyers (SFTLA) - Member, 2009 - 2011 American Association for Justice (AAJ) - Member, 1990 - 2011 - Formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) Co-Chair Pharmacy Liability Litigation Section, 2009 Community Service · Sacramento Child Advocates (SCA) - 2008 - 2010 Member - Developmental Board · Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA) - 2011
Practice Areas Explained
David E. Smith's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David E. Smith handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Sacramento.
Workplace Discrimination in Sacramento
David E. Smith is one of 7,049 discrimination attorneys indexed nationally. Browse discrimination attorneys in California →
Medical Malpractice in Sacramento
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
David E. Smith is one of 48,593 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in California →
Wrongful Death in Sacramento
David E. Smith is one of 30,932 wrongful death attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wrongful death attorneys in California →
Personal Injury in Sacramento
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
David E. Smith is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →
Slip & Fall / Premises Liability in Sacramento
David E. Smith is one of 29,187 slip & fall attorneys indexed nationally. Browse slip & fall attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Sacramento
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Sacramento are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Sacramento Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Sacramento-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Sacramento or all attorneys in California.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Sacramento Choose David E. Smith
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish David E. Smith's practice in the field of discrimination, medical malpractice, wrongful death, personal injury, and slip & fall.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
David E. Smith brings 50+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering discrimination, medical malpractice, and wrongful death, David E. Smith can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Sacramento
A Sacramento-based practice means David E. Smith attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues David E. Smith Handles in Sacramento
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters David E. Smith has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact David E. Smith directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find David E. Smith Online
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David E. Smith's Practice Areas & Specializations
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