Debra Ann Smith

Debra Ann Smith

also known as Debra A. Smith

4.2
Rating: 9.2

Licensed for 39 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Riverside, CA
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Family, Domestic Violence, Child Custody

6690 Alessandro Blvd, #D, Riverside, CA

About Debra

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 39 years

State: California

Acquired: 1986

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in New Mexico for 27 years

State: New Mexico

Acquired: 1998

Suspended

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of Debra A. Smith

6690 Alessandro Blvd, #D, Riverside, CA, 92506

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Debra Ann Smith's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

21 Client Reviews

5 star (17)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (4)

Posted by Gabriela | March 8, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly Recommend

I hired Debra Smith to represent me in my divorce case. Debra and the staff are very knowledgeable in Family Law. Debra and William handled everything for me. I Highly recommend Smith Law Group to anyone in need of a Family Law Attorney.

Posted by Cynthia | August 4, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Best family law firm in the IE

Exceptional law firm. I was referred to her by a well known private investigator. Debra Smith is an elite five star aggressive attorney. Her representation was impeccable. I'm very please with my outcome. It was a very stressful and strenuous process however now I can move on with my life and start d...ating again. Thank you to her investigations/ support staff, for their hard work, dedication and great customer service. I encourage anyone who is dealing with domestic violence, divorce and restraining orders to consult with this law firm. I made the right choice. Don't waste your money someplace else.

Posted by Fidel | July 24, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Exceptional Law Firm

Exceptional law firm. The Smith law office, specifically Debra and William are excellent aggressive attorneys. Very satisfied with results. Affordable legal representation and excellent customer service. Phone calls and emails are returned in a timely manner. The support/ Investigations staff ( Ma...ry & Susan) are very helpful as well. I recommend this law office. FN

Posted by Patricia | February 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly Recommend

I hired Attorney Smith to represent me in a highly contested divorce. It has been a long process (over a year) but she never left me in the dark or unprepared. Many court dates later I am happy to say that my divorce is final and I got all that was fair in the process. I hope that no one has to go... through the process of a divorce but if you do I would recommend Debra A. Smith to represent you 100 percent. She answered all my questions and kept my updated throughout the process. I am very happy I chose her office after interviewing several attorneys in the beginning. I will recommend her office to everyone I know that needs an attorney.

Posted by anonymous | February 22, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Please avoid.

This firm is, simply put, a nightmare. Go ahead and hire them if you like paying a large sum of money for being placed in harm's way. My case was never taken seriously and was immediately sloughed off to a paralegal. My legal documents had errors, including even my request for a fee waiver, so that e...ven after finally being able to rid myself of this firm, I couldn't even use the original documents and had to pay someone else to completely begin my divorce all over again. You will read their website and believe that they sympathize and specialize in domestic violence cases, that you will be protected and taken seriously. From the start, I was told I didn't require a restraining order. I had to put my divorce on hold one time for the sake of my own safety. When I called the firm to let them know that I was ready to continue with the divorce and was headed to a domestic violence shelter, Debra was put on the phone with me for the first time. I was urged to stay in my home, and told that my ex would be kept away from the residence. At the time, I was not informed that this would be a lengthy process and that I would not be safe during this time. Not only that, I had to email and then phone several times just to have my ex served. Finally, I emailed both Debra and the paralegal and the paralegal called me and agreed to mail the court papers to my ex. That is when the real fun began for me and my two children. My ex decided to put himself on disability and I was held in my home against my will for six excruciating months. My situation became so dire that I had my daughter report us to the school authorities and we were able to finally have my ex removed from the home. I have no doubt had a few more months gone by, I would not have survived. I then went on to file my own restraining order while struggling to rid myself of being represented by this firm. My children and I have all been diagnosed with PTSD since this time. I paid a $5,000 retainer fee for their "services". Nearly a year later, I am still struggling to get the portion of it back that wasn't used on their dangerous counsel. I cannot urge you strongly enough to avoid this firm. Please keep yourself and your children safe and find someone who really cares about your situation.

Debra Smith

Replied last June 19, 2017

This client continually failed to communicate or cooperate with our office. We were not authorized to proceed in any meaningful way. Even now, we have refunded her money, yet she's never cashed the check.

See All Client Reviews

Debra Ann Smith's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Debra
Rebecca M. Perkins headshot
Rebecca Perkins

Domestic violence lawyer | Sep 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

David Frederick Blaisdell headshot
David Blaisdell

Family lawyer | Dec 31

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Debra is an excellent lawyer. She is tough but fair in negotiations and presents her case well in court. She is very ethical. Dave Blaisdell"

Thomas Murray Derryberry headshot
Thomas Derryberry

Family lawyer | Dec 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Debra Smith for your Family Law needs."

Sharon Paris Babakhan headshot
Sharon Babakhan

Unknown lawyer | Dec 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Detail Oriented, experienced and highly committed."

Dan Eugene Chambers headshot
Dan Chambers

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Rebecca M. Perkins headshot
Rebecca Perkins

Family lawyer

Thomas Murray Derryberry headshot
Thomas Derryberry

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.2 (Superb)

Honors

2021

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2020

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Million Dollar Advocate, Million Dollar Advocates Forum

2013

Top Attorney, Inland Empire Magazine

1996

Jury Verdict of $1,266,983, Los Angeles County Superior Court

Work Experience

1986 - Present

Owner, Law Office of Debra A. Smith

1994 - 1994

Course Instructor, Death Penalty Litigation Clinic

Associations

2012 - Present

Mock Trial Program

Attorney Scorer

1996 - Present

State Bar of New Mexico

Attorney

1986 - Present

Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Trial Attorney

1986 - Present

American Bar Association

Attorney

1986 - Present

State Bar of California

Attorney

1986 - Present

California Public Defender's Association

Attorney - Instructor

Riverside County Bar Association

Member

Advisory Panel, Domestic Violence Committee

Member

Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Lifetime Member

Education

1985

Southland University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1985

Southland University

JD

N/A

California State College, Bakersfield

Speaking Engagements

2008

Riverside Medical Center

Abuse and Domestic Violence In Home

2007

Domestic Violence Workplace

Domestic Violence

2005

Social Workers Elder Abuse Seminar

Elder Abuse

Publications

2010

Debra A. Smith Had Enough? Part 1

2010

Debra Smith Had Enough? Part 2

2010

Debra Smith Had Enough? Part 3

Languages

English

Spanish

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution