Jay E. Smith

Of Counsel

• jsmith@steptoe.com
• vCard
• Los Angeles Office

Jay E. Smith is of counsel in the Los Angeles, California office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP and is a member of the firm's Litigation Department.  Mr. Smith's litigation and trial experience spans a wide variety of substantive areas.

Mr. Smith has represented corporate and individual clients in both state and federal courts in diverse litigation matters involving: complex commercial breach of contract, business torts, toxic torts, real estate, financial institutions, products liability, intellectual property, employment, securities and insurance.  In addition to resolving many disputes through arbitration and mediation, Mr. Smith has represented clients at trial.

Working with the firm's toxic tort practice group, Mr. Smith has defended oil and chemical industry clients in single and multiple plaintiff toxic substance personal injury and wrongful death litigation. He has also represented plaintiffs and defendants in traditional products liability litigation.

Mr. Smith has served as lead trial counsel in a number of lawsuits arising from real estate transactions. 

• In a two-week bench trial in California state court, Mr. Smith won a judgment for the plaintiffs (including an award of all attorneys' fees), which was later upheld by the California Court of Appeal.
• In a two-week jury trial, also in California state court, Mr. Smith won a defense verdict for his clients in a case in which all other defendants were found liable for compensatory and punitive damages.
• In the context of a bankruptcy court adversary proceeding, Mr. Smith assisted in the defense of a multimillion-dollar claim to escrowed funds arising out of the sale of commercial property.
  

Due to his real estate litigation experience, Mr. Smith has also assisted in numerous real estate transactions for clients, including a major oil company’s acquisition of over 35 properties with a total value of $40 million.

News, Seminars & Events

• 2005 Promotions
• 2003 Attorney Promotions

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation Section