Marilyn M. Smith

Pasadena Litigation & Family Lawyer

Attorney Marilyn M. Smith established her own practice, Marilyn Smith Law APC, in 1996, serving Pasadena and communities throughout Southern California with an emphasis in civil litigation, family law, divorce, and personal injury. Ms. Smith is admitted to practice in the state of California, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit and the Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern District Courts of California. Ms. Smith approaches each legal problem by assessing it from all angles — the potential family law aspects, lurking capacity issues, and any possible civil claims.

After a family tragedy deeply affected her and became a major court decision for laws about uninsured motorists, Ms. Smith realized she could use her strengths in both science and storytelling as an attorney and help others. A graduate of the UCLA School of Law, Ms. Smith finished in the top one-third of her class and was active in the Moot Court Honors program, selected as a member of the Order of Barristers, and was a Certified Law Student able to appear in court under professor supervision.

Prior to law school, she was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Southern California based on academic merit and studied biology with the intention of becoming a medical researcher. Following her family's tragedy and her introduction to the legal system, she changed majors and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science. During her undergraduate studies, Ms. Smith was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa and received the Distinguished Student Award.

She is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has tried more than 60 civil jury cases to verdict, in addition to hundreds of court trials, arbitrations, and mediations. She has also qualified for membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, having been plaintiff's lead trial counsel in an insurance bad faith action that resulted in a verdict of $6.3 million. She has also been selected as a Pasadena Magazine Top Attorney every year from 2010 to 2018.

Her legal experience includes working for the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, where she received two promotions in two years. She has worked for private firms big and small, including as a cofounder of a large litigation firm and member of its management committee. Her practice emphasizes civil litigation in the areas of insurance and torts, family law and probate, elder abuse, and numerous civil appeals. She also has experience in issues involving mental health, substance abuse, and adult disabled children. Ms. Smith is able to bring her multidisciplinary skills and extensive experience in civil, family, and probate litigation to each case in order to recognize and resolve problems efficiently and effectively.

Practice Areas

• Civil Litigation
  • Insurance
  • Personal Injury/Tort
• Family Law
• Elder Abuse
• Mental Health
• Substance Abuse
• Conservatorship

Bar Admissions

• California
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• U.S. District Court Central District of California
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
• U.S. District Court Northern District of California
• U.S. District Court Southern District of California

Education

• UCLA School of Law, Los Angeles, California
  • Juris Doctor; top third of her class
• University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
  • Bachelor of Arts (Political Science); Magna cum laude

Professional Associations & Memberships

• Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Executive Committee, Small Firms and Solo Section (Member)
• Pasadena Bar Association
• Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• La Canada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce
• Opera a la Carte (Board Member)
• Public Safety Commission, La Canada Flintridge
• Convalescent Aid Society
  • Board of Directors
  • Finance Committee