Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
17 Client Reviews
PRO
David Eugene Smith
Virtual Consultation Available
About David
Biography
In his 30-year legal career, attorney David Smith has learned that when people are seriously injured, or have lost a family member because of someone's negligence or carelessness, they want their attorney to possess three essential qualities: Experience, Compassion, and Integrity, as well as a track record of proven results in tough cases in the courtroom.
David's experience spans decades of providing aggressive and effective advocacy for seriously injured plaintiffs throughout California and all 50 states. In recognition of his many significant jury verdicts and settlements in a wide range of serious injury cases, David Smith has been selected for membership in ABOTA, the American Board of Trial Advocacy. Membership in ABOTA is an honor which is granted only to those advocates and trial attorneys who are recognized by their peers in the legal community to possess the highest level of trial advocacy skills and professional ethics.
Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, paralysis, burns, medical malpractice, disability discrimination, birth injuries, nursing home and elder abuse, and medication error cases are among the most complex and challenging types of personal injury cases for an attorney to effectively litigate or take to jury trial. The trial attorney must master the complex medical issues, communicate to the jury the catastrophic effect of serious injuries upon human lives, and possess the ability to credibly establish the financial loss and damages, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering experienced by accident victims.
David is widely recognized and respected for his hard-earned medical and pharmaceutical knowledge and experience. He has been a frequent lecturer to other attorneys, as well as to health care providers, on a wide range of medical topics and the handling of complex medical issues. This experience provides him with a keen understanding of the causes as well as the long term consequences of catastrophic physical injuries.
He has lectured on a wide range of medical-legal issues including the cross examination of medical expert witnesses, the effective presentation of medical evidence at trial, medication and drug errors, the trial of medical and pharmacy malpractice cases, internet medical research, and medical technology, including the obtaining and effective use of electronic medical records (EMR).
Most importantly, David puts his experience and expansive medical knowledge to work for each and every one of his clients to insure that they receive the maximum compensation possible for their injuries and losses.
There is no substitute for experience – especially in the practice of law! Call us today!
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Medical Malpractice
50%
51 years
Wrongful Death
20%
51 years
Brain Injury
10%
51 years
Car Accident
10%
51 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
25%-40%
Awards
2014
Licenses
Licensed in California for 49 years
State: California
Acquired: 1976
No misconduct found
Location
David Eugene Smith's Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (16)
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Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 10 of 16 reviews
Posted by Cathy | June 06, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Awesome law firm
David Smith and his staff were awesome representing me in a personal injury case. He always kept me abreast on all the going ons through emails and telephone contact. He settled my case rapidly and I received the settlement amount he asked for. I would gladly refer this law firm. Cathy
Posted by Geno DePello | August 21, 2017 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Initial Meeting
Having never met a malpractice attorney before I didn't know what to expect.David was patient,thorough and extremely knowledgeable in his field of law.I would easily recommended him for anyone needing advice in this area.Geno
Posted by Maureen | December 15, 2014 | Medical Malpractice
First Experience w/lawsuit
David was always right there whenever we had any questions or concerns. His office staff was always very professional and available as well. It is never an easy journey to decide that a medical professional has missed a diagnoses but David was with us every step of the way. His guidance and insight ...
Posted by Deborah | December 14, 2014 | Personal Injury
You won't go wrong with Smith & Zitano
Top notch lawyers with vast personal injury experience. Handled an admitted liability roll over case for me. Insurer was refusing to negotiate a reasonable settlement. David was successful in negotiating my medical lien by 30% which went straight into my pocket and ultimately made the overall settl...
Posted by Maribeth | December 12, 2014 | Medical Malpractice
My Dentist lied through her teeth...
And David E, Smith and his Associates proved this for me when they represented me in a dental malpractice suit that I had the misfortune of needing help with. He was Professional to great length and his warm and friendly demeanor welcoming. I was kept current and involved through the whole process o...
David Eugene Smith's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known David for many years and have been his adversary on many cases. He is not only very skilled but is extremely ethical and works hard for his clients. His skills as a trial lawyer have earned him election in to ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates), which is known as the Hall of Fame of trial lawyers. David is also a bit of a renaissance man, as he is a master gardener and accomplished sailor. His clients are lucky to have him on their side."
"I endorse this lawyer. Dave Smith is a hard working and extremely competent medical malpractice and personal injury attorney. He is a walking encyclopedia on all medical matters. I have noticed the extra care, and genuine compassion he provides to his clients."
"I endorse David. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known David E. Smith for more than 25 years and I can say without hesitation he is an excellent personal injury lawyer in all respects. He knows the anatomy and the medicine as well anyone in the community which is very helpful when practicing all types of personal injury, medical malpractice and nursing home cases. He works tirelessly for his clients and obtains excellent results for his clients. He has the highest reputation in the community of his peers. I am proud to know him as a colleague and as an outstanding member of the legal community. Further, David donates lots of his time, effort and money to charitable causes and organizations when he is not busy zealously representing his clients."
"David Smith is one of the preeminent medical malpractice attorneys in California. His insight and experience with medical cases is superb and he truly cares about doing what is best for his clients. I highly recommend David Smith and the Smith Zitano firm."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse David Smith without reservation. I have referred a number of people with medical malpractice claims to him and will continue to do so. He is a top practitioner in this area."
"I have known David Smith for many years and I can unequivocally recommend his intelligence, acumen and expertise to anyone seeking a top flight lawyer. David is known for his ability to take on complex medical cases that other lawyers cannot handle. He is also an asset to the trial lawyer associations that fight for the rights of all consumers."
"I endorse this lawyer. David Smith is a very competent and compassionate lawyer who always fights for his clients and he is willing to go the extra distance for his clients to make sure every aspect of his cases have been throughly reviewed. David has a thourough insight on medical malpractice and is able to use this knowledge, in, as well as out of the courtroom, to his client's advantage. To say the least, David Smith obtains excellent results."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have know Mr. Smith for more than 25 years. He is the consummate professional and extremely knowledgeable. I can not think of anyone who is not impressed by his skill and his demeanor in court. I would give Mr. Smith my highest recommendation and endorsement."
"I endorse this lawyer. David is an extremely knowledgeable attorney in his field and represents his clients with integrity and the utmost professionalism."
"I endorse this lawyer. David is friendly, client centered and really understands medicine. I highly recommend him on medical malpractice cases."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Top Attorneys in Sacramento, Sacramento Magazine
2013
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2003
Award of Merit, Capital City Trial Lawyers
Associations
2005 - Present
American Board of Trial AdvocatesMember
1990 - Present
Capitol City Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
1990 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaBoard of Directors
1990 - Present
American Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
1990 - Present
American Association for JusticeMember
2009 - 2009
American Association for JusticeCo-chair
2001 - 2001
Capitol City Trial Lawyers AssociationPresident
Sample of Legal Cases
Anesthesiology negligence
$2,150,000
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
$2,100,000
Birth injury/cerebral palsy
$1,750,000
Anesthesiology negligence /failure to diagnose
$1,500,000
Mesothelioma death
$1,450,000
Education
1976
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
JD - Juris Doctor
1970
University of San Francisco
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2012
State Bar of California, Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) Governing Committee
Tort & Trial Practice, 27th Annual Recent Developments
2012
College of Trial Arts
Kaiser Medical and Nursing Protocols – How to Find Them and Use Them for Maximum Impact
2011
Kaiser Arbitrations
New Prescriptions for the Care and Treatment of Kaiser Malpractice Claims
2011
CAOC Winter Convention
Electronic Medical Records (ERM) - Why you need them; How to obtain them; How to Read them.
2010
National Live Web Seminar
12 Common Medication Error Cases Every Savvy Litigator Can Handle
2010
College of Trial Arts
Kaiser Arbitrations: Even the Playing Field – What You Need to Know to Handle a Kaiser Medical Malpractice Arbitration
2010
28th Annual Recent Developments
Civil Litigation Practice
2009
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
Medicare MSP “Hidden Remedy”Private Cause of Action
2009
Consumer Attorneys of California Winter Convention
“A Practical Lien Handbook: Formulas, Phone Numbers, and Form Letters that Every Practitioner Can Use
Languages
English