Douglas Smith’s practice includes complex litigation and trial work, defense of class actions, and complex trust and probate litigation.
Mr. Smith’s litigation experience includes:
• Secured orders from Los Angeles Superior Court denying class certification of product defect and false advertising claims on behalf of national power tool distributor
• Secured order from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California denying class certification of an action filed against a global auctioneer under California’s Unfair Competition Law
• Secured order from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts denying class certification of a nationwide action for fraud and breach of contract filed against an internet marketing company
• Obtained order of dismissal from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in an action against consumer finance firm alleging violation of California consumer protection statutes
• Secured order from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California denying class certification of an action filed against a national convenience food franchisor under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and Business & Professions Code 17200
• Defended publicly traded company in class action alleging unfair competition and RICO violations
• Defended nationwide consumer finance firm in class action alleging unfair competition and unfair business practices
• Defended officers and directors of technology state up in shareholder derivative action
• Represented successor shareholders in breakup of $100 million privately held business following death of co-founder
• Represented national charities and nonprofits in trust and real estate litigation, and in probate related claims
• Represented statewide food and beverage distributor in commercial dispute involving product transshipping allegations
Mr. Smith has litigated matters before the United States Bankruptcy Courts for the Central and Southern Districts, and argued before the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
He has argued before the California Supreme Court on matters of constitutional law (Mut. Life Ins. Co. of New York v. City of Los Angeles (1990) 50 Cal.3d 402)
Employment
• Smith-LC – Shareholder
• Lee Hong Degerman Kang & Waimey (2016-2022) – Managing Partner Orange County Office
• Gordon & Rees LLP (2003-2016) Partner – Managing Partner Orange County Office
• Hayes Simpson Greene (1998-2003) Partner – Managing Partner Orange County Office
• Smith, Arnold & Gyben (1996-1998) – Managing Partner
• Meserve, Mumper & Hughes (1983-1996) – Associate-Partner
• Ventura County District Attorney’s Office (1981-1983) – Deputy District Attorney
