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Law Offices of Michael R. SmentPrincipal
Michael R. Sment
Pro

Michael R. Sment

4.8
1 review

770 County Square Drive, Suite 210, Ventura, CA 93003-5407

Real Estate Litigation, Bankruptcy, Business Litigation and 1 more

About Michael R. Sment

Mr. Sment has earned an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest recognition possible in the legal industry, for his professionalism and ethics.

Representative transactions

- Creditor Representation in Chapter 11 reorganizations including:

- Land Source Communities Development LLC (2009-2010)

- Delphi Automotive Inc. (2006)

- Global Crossing Telecommunications Ltd. (2004)

- BIBO Inc. (2000)

Representative cases

- BFP v. Resolution Trust Corporation, 511 U.S. 531, 114 S.Ct. 1757 (USSC 1994)

- In re BFP, 974 F.2d 1144 (CA9 1992)

- In re Taylor, 884 F.2d 478 (CA9 1989)

- Walker v. California Mortgage Service, 861 F.2d 597 (CA9 1988)

Associations and memberships

- Ventura County Bar Association (Member, Bankruptcy Section, 1991—; Chairman, 1999—)

- Ventura Bankruptcy Forum (Member, 1993—)

- State Bar of California (Member, Real Property Section, 1980—)

- Los Angeles County Bar Association (Member, Commercial Law/Bankruptcy Section, 1984-2004)

Biographical details

- State of California, District Court of Appeal (4th District), Senior Research Attorney, 1979-1980, Extern, 1978

- Member, San Diego Law Review, 1978-1979

- Senior Research Fellow, University of San Diego (B. Siegan, "Economics & The Law"), 1978-1979

- Judge Pro Tempore, Ventura County Superior Court, 1991--

- Judicial Arbitrator, Ventura County Superior Court, 1992--

- Settlement Officer, Ventura County Superior Court, 1998-2009

- Mediator, U.S. Bankruptcy Court (Central District CA), 1995--

- Instructor, Ventura College of Law (Legal Research), 2002-2003

- Instructor/Adjunct Professor, Oxnard College (Contracts, Business Law, Legal Research, Evidence, Civil Litigation, Torts), 1991--

- Member, California Federation of Teachers and American Federation of Teachers, 1991--

- Board Member, Assistant Editor, Author, Citations Magazine, 1994--

- Member, American Bankruptcy Institute, 1985-2005

- Fellow: Advisor Award, Oxnard High School Law Academy, 2010

 

Michael R. Sment (Ventura, California) View website

Awards

Client Reviewed
This badge is granted to attorneys who have been reviewed by a past client.
Champion Badge Reviewed
AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Michael R. Sment got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Michael R. Sment

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Overall Rating
4.8
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1
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100%
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What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
5.0
Quality of Service
1.0
Responsiveness
5.0
Value for Money
1.0
Real Estate
Posted by anonymous
January 14, 2009
Hired Attorney Michael R. Sment

If the standard for a good attorney is convincing their client that they are acting in their best intrest then this man is tops. If you want someone who has the art of billing down to a science this is your man. Be careful!

Services

Areas of Law

  • Bankruptcy
  • Business Law 1
    • Business Litigation
  • Debtor and Creditor 1
    • Collections
  • Other 1
    • Real Estate Litigation

Practice Details

  • Languages
    Spanish
  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Free initial consultation
    Fixed hourly rates
    Fixed fees available
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Principal
    Firm Name
    Law Offices of Michael R. Sment
    Firm Onwership
    Minority Owned
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    BFP v. Resolution Trust Corporation, 511 U.S. 531, 114 S.Ct. 1757 (USSC 1994)
    In re BFP, 974 F.2d 1144 (CA9 1992)
    In re Taylor, 884 F.2d 478 (CA9 1989)
    Walker v. California Mortgage Service, 861 F.2d 597 (CA9 1988)
    other reported cases available upon request.
    Transactions
    Creditor Representation in Chapter 11 Reorganizations including: LandSource Communities Development LLC (2009-2010); Delphi Automotive Inc. (2006); Global Crossing Telecommunications Ltd. (2004); BIBO Inc. (2000).
  • Pro Bono Services
    Time Spent on Pro Bono Work: 20%

    Advisor, Ventura County Bar Association Emeritus Attorneys (2005-present); Advisor, Oxnard High School Law Academy (2006-present); Volunteer Attorney, Ventura Superior Court Self-Help Access Centers (Ventura, Colonia) (2000-2005); Volunteer Fee Arbitrator, Ventura County Bar Association (1992-1998).

  • Additional Links
    https://www.smentlaw.com/

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1979, California
    1981, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
    1981, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
    1982, U.S. District Court, Central District of California
    1983, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
    1987, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
    1991, U.S. Supreme Court
    Bar Fellowship
    University of San Diego (B. Siegan, "Economics & The Law"), 1978-1979. Judge Pro Tempore, Ventura County Superior Court, 1991—. Judicial Arbitrator, Ventura County Superior Court, 1992—. Settlement Officer, Ventura County Superior Court, 1998-2009. Mediator, United States Bankruptcy Court (Central District CA), 1995—. Instructor, Ventura College of Law (Legal Research), 2002-2003; Instructor/Adjunct Professor, Oxnard College (Contracts, Business Law, Legal Research, Evidence, Civil Litigation, Torts), 1991—. Member, California Federation of Teachers and American Federation of Teachers, 1991—. Board Member, Assistant Editor, Author, Citations Magazine, 1994—. Member, American Bankruptcy Institute, 1985-2005. Member: Ventura County Bar Association (Member, Bankruptcy Section, 1991—; Chairman, 1999—); Ventura Bankruptcy Forum (Member, 1993—); State Bar of California (Member, Real Property Section, 1980—);Los Angeles County Bar Association (Member, Commercial Law/Bankruptcy Section, 1984-2004). Fellow: Advisor Award, Oxnard High School Law Academy, 2010.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of San Diego
    Class of 1979
    J.D.
    Law Review
    Other Education
    University of Southern California
    Class of 1976
    B.A.
    cum laude

    Pepperdine University, Dispute Resolution Institute
    Class of 1995
    Mediation Certificate
  • Special Agencies
    State of California, District Court of Appeal (4th District), Senior Research Attorney, 1979-1980, Extern 1978.
  • Personal Details & History
    Hobbies & Interests
    Photography; Gardening; Fishing

Contact Michael R. Sment

Principal at Law Offices of Michael R. Sment
4.8
1 review

Faria Building, 770 County Square Drive, Suite 210Ventura, CA 93003-5407U.S.A.

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Fax: 805-654-0334
Office Hours:
  • Monday By appointment
  • Tuesday By appointment
  • Wednesday By appointment
  • Thursday By appointment
  • Friday By appointment

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Michael R. Sment is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, United States District Court for the Central District of California, United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, United States District Court for the Southern District of California and United States Supreme Court.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Michael R. Sment has a 5.0 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney offer any legal services for a flat fee?
    Yes, Michael R. Sment offers fixed fees for certain legal services.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Law Offices of Michael R. Sment has 2 attorneys at this location.
  • How much pro bono work does this attorney do?
    Michael R. Sment spends 20% of their time working pro bono.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

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