Atty. J. Wesley Smith
After graduating from the University of California, Davis (BA, 1990), Mr. Smith attended the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law with a concentration in Business and Estate Planning.
Business & More Attorney · Serving Walnut Creek, CA · 32+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About J. Wesley Smith at a Glance
J. Wesley Smith is a Principal based in Walnut Creek, California, practicing at Brothers Smith LLP. They have 32+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1994. Their practice focuses on employment, business, real estate, tax, and litigation. Admitted to practice in California (1994), U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (1994), and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (1994). Educated at McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific (J.D., 1994) and University of California, Davis (B.A. Economics, 1990). Serves clients in Walnut Creek, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About J. Wesley Smith
- After graduating from the University of California, Davis (BA, 1990), Mr. Smith attended the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law with a concentration in Business and Estate Planning
- He graduated with distinction in 1994 and was awarded the American Jurisprudence Award in Business Planning and Development
- Mr. Smith was admitted to the California Bar in 1994 and is admitted to practice in federal courts
- Mr. Smith is a business, estate and real estate attorney whose practice focuses on: • Business, estate, probate and real estate litigation. • Real estate transactions and counsel including commercial and residential purchase and sales, leases, options, easements and licenses. • Commercial real estate litigation representing lenders, property management companies, agents, brokers and buyers/sellers in commercial leasing transactions, lien priority disputes, quiet title and fraud/non-disclosure disputes. • Trust, estate and tax planning, business planning and family succession planning. • General counsel to high net worth clients concerning business and family succession planning including serving clients as “Family Office” CEO. • Business and corporate transactions including entity formation and operation, business transactions, mergers and acquisitions and other business reorganizations. • Trust, estate and probate administration
- Mr. Smith also serves as a mediator in disputes involving trusts and estates, business, real estate and corporate matters
- Finally, Mr. Smith has been recognized in the respected legal publication of Northern California Super Lawyers for the years 2014-2021
- Publications • ALERT – Proposition 19 Impacts Estate Planning • ALERT - SBA Indicates It Will Not Review PPP Loans Under $2 Million
- Small Loan Borrowers Presumed to Have Certified Economic Necessity in Good Faith • Brothers Smith LLP Announcement - Safety and Health Priority Professional Memberships • State Bar of California • American Bar Association • Contra Costa County Bar Association( Business, Trust and Estates, Probate and Real Estate Sections) • Solano County Bar Association
Practice Areas Explained
J. Wesley Smith's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases J. Wesley Smith handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Walnut Creek.
Employment Law in Walnut Creek
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
J. Wesley Smith is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in California →
Business & Corporate Law in Walnut Creek
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
J. Wesley Smith is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →
Real Estate Law in Walnut Creek
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
J. Wesley Smith is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in California →
Tax Law in Walnut Creek
Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.
J. Wesley Smith is one of 84,606 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in California →
Civil Litigation in Walnut Creek
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
J. Wesley Smith is one of 450,750 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Walnut Creek
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 Walnut Creek 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.
Walnut Creek Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Walnut Creek-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 Walnut Creek or all attorneys in California.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Walnut Creek Choose J. Wesley 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 J. Wesley Smith's practice in the field of employment, business, real estate, tax, and litigation.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
J. Wesley Smith brings 32+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in California, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, J. Wesley Smith can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering employment, business, and real estate, J. Wesley Smith can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Walnut Creek
A Walnut Creek-based practice means J. Wesley 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 J. Wesley Smith Handles in Walnut Creek
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters J. Wesley 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 J. Wesley Smith directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find J. Wesley Smith Online
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J. Wesley Smith's Practice Areas & Specializations
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