Originally from Brooklyn, New York, I came to Sacramento after 4 years in the U.S. Air Force, including combat service in Southeast Asia.
My time in the military and especially my youth in the streets of New York has taught me much about dealing with difficult situations. I am grateful for that education and I employ it to help my clients.
I wasn't born with a silver spoon and relate well to others who worked their way up.
My practice is devoted solely to Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases on behalf of injured persons. I have never nor will I ever represent insurance companies.
I've experienced several near death experiences myself and believes an injury or an illness can enable someone to focus on the deeper meaning in their lives.
My passion is to help my client's achieve the maximum fair settlement from the at fault party and to explore
the physical, emotional and psychological effects of their injuries. Those injuries rarely affect just the injured person.
Their spouses, significant others and children are also adversely impacted.
For years I appeared on the Award Winning TV show, ASK A LAWYER.
I'm the author of several legal articles, including "Top 20 Internet Sites for Attorneys" as well as the Amazon Kindle Books below.
-The Ultimate California Auto Accident Handbook.
-The California Motorcycle accident handbook.
I'm a frequent lecturer at legal seminars on the impact of the Internet and On-Line Services on the practice of Personal Injury Law
When I'm not in court, I enjoy reading, traveling, scuba diving, art, music and gardening.
I like to spend time with my son and daughter in law, Brant and Sheila Smith as well as with my grandson, Mason.
I am active in the Aspire Foundation in Sacramento, an organization devoted to helping people live their lives with passion.
I am also a sponsor for the Sacramento Blues Society. I love the blues and put on 4 concerts a year. All clients and friends are invited.
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
- J.D. (1982) | Law
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- University of California - Davis
- B.A. | Political Science
- Honors: Magna Cum Laude
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- Founder
- Edward A Smith Law Offices
- - Current
- 20 Web Sites All Injury Attorney's Should Know
- Law Office Computing
- A Consumers Guide to California Accident Law
- California AutoAccident Guide
- How to Determine Whether You Need to Pay a Medical Lien or Reimbursement on Your Accident
- Self
- Hiring and Training Paralegals, Sacramento, ca
- St. Mary's College
- Workshop training personal injury paralegals in the intricacies of day to day practice.
- Best practices in Managing Chronic Disease and Trauma
- INstitute for Brain Potential
- The Brain injury case: What the trial lawyer needs to know
- Brain Injury Association
- Certificate of Accomplishment 2016
- Capital City Trial Lawyers
- 10.0 Rating
- Avvo
- Member
- Million Dollar Forum
- Lawyers in the US who have Multiple Million Dollar Awards or Settlements
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- Top 1%
- Attorney's in the top 1% of personal injury lawyers nationally in terms of verdicts, settlements and reputation.
- Sacramento Top Lawyers
- Sacramento Magazine
- Litigator Award
- Trial Lawyers Board of Regents
- California State Bar # 105263
- Member
- Current
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- Sacramento County Bar Association
- Member
- Current
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- Consumer Attorney's of California
- Member
- Current
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- Capital City Trial Lawyers Association
- Member
- Current
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- American Trial Lawyers Association
- Member
- Current
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- San Francisco Trial Lawyer's Association
- Member
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- Los Angeles Trial Lawyer's Association
- Member
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- California
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Free Consultation
See us in our office, or, if you cannot travel, we'll either come to you or Uber you here. Never a charge for initial consultation. -
Contingent Fees
29% Attorney fees for cases settled without litigation. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
If you have have very high medical bills and the other insurance has a relatively minimal policy, we will work with you.
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Products Liability
- Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts
- Workers' Compensation
- Medical Malpractice
- Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
- Animal & Dog Law
- Car Accidents
- Auto Accidents
- Chinese: Spoken
- English: Spoken, Written
- Greek: Spoken, Written
- Hmong: Spoken
- Russian: Spoken
- Serbian: Spoken, Written
- Serbo-Croatian: Spoken, Written
- Spanish: Spoken, Written
- Ukrainian: Spoken, Written
- Q. Tenant's relative was accidently drowned in the pool. The tenant filed wrongful death. What should I do?
- A: I have almost ever seen an insurance policy on a residence of apartment that does not cover Wrongful Death. Who told you that it does not cover that? Ed Smith
- Q. I am a plaintiff in a personal injury case. Defendant filed a Summary Judgement which was denied.
- A: Something doesn't sound right here. Is this a disputed liability case? How did you fracture your knee. Do you have a trial date yet? It may not be too late to substitute another attorney, but it depends on how close to trial you are or whether you will be able to get a continuance.
- Q. Under what conditions can a person withdraw their agreement to a settlment if the defendant has not paid in a year?
- A: Reach out to your attorney who represented you for your original settlement to discuss this matter. I do not know the particulars of your case. Since I did not represent you for the initial case, I cannot state if you have money set aside from your settlement for future treatment. However, generally speaking, if you have settled your claim then it cannot be re-opened.
How To Really Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer