Atty. Robert J. Smith
Robert J. Smith joined Costello, Cooney & Fearon, PLLC, in 1983 and has been a partner with the Firm since 1988.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Services & More Attorney · Serving Bel Air, CA · 43+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Robert J. Smith at a Glance
Robert J. Smith is a Partner based in Bel Air, California, practicing at Costello Cooney & Fearon, PLLC. They have 43+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1983. Their practice focuses on formation, personal injury, business, real estate, and commercial re. Admitted to practice in Texas (1983), New York (1984), and New Jersey United States District Court for the Northern District of New York United States District (1994). Educated at South Texas College of Law (J.D., 1982) and State University of New York at Brockport (B.A., 1979). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Onondaga County Bar Association New York Bar Association Texas Bar Association American Bar Association. Serves clients in Bel Air, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Robert J. Smith
- Robert J. Smith joined Costello, Cooney & Fearon, PLLC, in 1983 and has been a partner with the Firm since 1988
- Bob concentrates in the area of civil trial law with an emphasis on product liability, complex commercial litigation, insurance law, construction law and professional liability, particularly architects, engineers and owners within the construction setting
- Bob has successfully tried over 75 cases to jury verdict in both State and Federal courts, involving multiple catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims
- In the commercial context, he has successfully tried multi-million dollar claims ranging from construction delay claims to tenant tax allocation disputes, and is increasingly called upon to represent clients or act as an arbitrator or mediator in arbitration or mediation proceedings
- He also represents parties in disputes surrounding the management, ownership and control of closely-held business entities, including the litigation and settlement of dissolution and accounting actions between owners, shareholders and members
- Additionally, he has developed an expertise in the negotiation of leases, financing transactions and municipal agreements for several New York-based real estate developers
- Bob was the chairperson of the Firm’s Litigation practice group from 1991 to 2007
- He served as Chief Executive Officer of the Firm from 2007 to 2022
- He has been retained by the New York State Office of Court Administration to teach trial evidence to newly elected local judges
- Prior to joining the Firm, he was a full-time professor of law at South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas, where he is also licensed to practice
Practice Areas Explained
Robert J. Smith's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Robert J. Smith handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Bel Air.
Business Formation in Bel Air
Robert J. Smith is one of 35,326 formation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse formation attorneys in California →
Personal Injury in Bel Air
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.
Robert J. Smith is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →
Business & Corporate Law in Bel Air
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Robert J. Smith is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →
Real Estate Law in Bel Air
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Robert J. Smith is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in California →
Commercial Real Estate in Bel Air
Robert J. Smith is one of 15,821 commercial re attorneys indexed nationally. Browse commercial re attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Bel Air
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 Bel Air 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.
Bel Air Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Bel Air-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 Bel Air or all attorneys in California.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Bel Air Choose Robert J. 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 Robert J. Smith's practice in the field of formation, personal injury, business, real estate, and commercial re.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Robert J. Smith brings 43+ 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 Texas, New York, and New Jersey United States District Court for the Northern District of New York United States District, Robert J. Smith can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering formation, personal injury, and business, Robert J. Smith can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Bel Air
A Bel Air-based practice means Robert J. 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 Robert J. Smith Handles in Bel Air
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Robert J. 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 Robert J. Smith directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Robert J. Smith Online
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Robert J. Smith's Practice Areas & Specializations
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