Atty. Steven Smith
Steven Smith is the managing shareholder at Smith LC, focusing on civil litigation, and representing diverse businesses, franchisees and franchisors, and a variety of medium and small business owners. Mr.
Business Law & More Attorney · Serving Irvine, CA · 42+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Steven Smith at a Glance
Steven Smith is a Shareholder based in Irvine, California, practicing at SMITH LC. They have 42+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1984. Their practice focuses on residential, wills, contracts, trademark, and trusts. Admitted to practice in California (1984), Utah (1985), and Arizona U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals for the (2012). Educated at Brigham Young University (J.D., 1984) and California Polytechnic State University (B.S., 1981). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of American Bar Association American Trial Lawyers Association Orange County Bar Association Los Angeles Bar Association J and Reuben Clark Law Society. Serves clients in Irvine, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Steven Smith
- Steven Smith is the managing shareholder at Smith LC, focusing on civil litigation, and representing diverse businesses, franchisees and franchisors, and a variety of medium and small business owners
- Mr. Smith has extensive litigation and trial experience in matters of breach of contract, fraud, real estate development, construction, personal injury, and intellectual property
- Mr. Smith also provides advice and representation on business transactions, contracts, investments, personal financial planning, estate planning, and all aspects of real estate transactions
- Mr. Smith is a distinguished litigator
- He has spent a large portion of his career inside the courtroom, where he has achieved great success for his clients
- He has tried cases in California, Utah, Montana, Florida, the Marshall Islands, and been involved as lead counsel in dozens of cases in other states as well
- Some of his recent accomplishments include a $16.3 million jury verdict in a products liability claim, a $7 million jury verdict for a franchise breach of contract, a $1.5 million jury verdict in a wrongful termination case, $10.3 million settlement during trial on an assignment of a bad faith insurance claim, and a $6 million trial judgment on a disputed ownership of corporate stock claim
- Mr. Smith has also achieved defense verdicts, plus costs, on a $6 million products liability claim, a $15 million breach of contract claim against an international bank, a $10 million breach of contract claim on a licensing agreement, and a $3.5 million wrongful termination case
- He has also successfully defended against a $400 million claim alleging violation of the trade secrets act and tort claims, and an $80 million trust/estate claim
- Mr. Smith also favorably settled a $120 million legal malpractice claim for a client
- Mr. Smith obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture, graduating with honors from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo in 1981
- He received a Juris Doctorate degree, cum laude, from the J. Reuben Clark School of Law at Brigham Young University in 1984, where he was also the recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Real Estate Transactions, Real Estate Finance, Computer Uses, and Accounting for Lawyers
- From 2005 to 2008, Mr. Smith was as a member of the California State Bar Standing Committee, Business Law Section, on the Limited Liability Company Subcommittee
- Mr. Smith has served from 2008 to the present as a member of the California State Bar Standing Committee on CACI Civil Jury Instruction
- Mr. Smith has also served as Judge Pro Tem for the Orange County Superior Court
- Mr. Smith has three children
- In his spare time he enjoys traveling and golf
- He is a sports enthusiast, and a dedicated fan of the Angels, the Dodgers, and the Ducks
Practice Areas Explained
Steven Smith's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Steven Smith handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Irvine.
Residential Real Estate in Irvine
Steven Smith is one of 9,272 residential attorneys indexed nationally. Browse residential attorneys in California →
Wills in Irvine
Steven Smith is one of 34,363 wills attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wills attorneys in California →
Contracts in Irvine
Steven Smith is one of 76,101 contracts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse contracts attorneys in California →
Trademark Law in Irvine
Steven Smith is one of 23,086 trademark attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trademark attorneys in California →
Trusts in Irvine
Steven Smith is one of 103,428 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Irvine
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 Irvine 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.
Irvine Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Irvine-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 Irvine or all attorneys in California.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Irvine Choose Steven 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 Steven Smith's practice in the field of residential, wills, contracts, trademark, and trusts.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Steven Smith brings 42+ 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, Utah, and Arizona U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals for the, Steven Smith can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering residential, wills, and contracts, Steven Smith can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Irvine
A Irvine-based practice means Steven Smith attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Steven Smith's Practice Areas & Specializations
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