Law Offices of Michael J. F. Smith

Law Firm Overview

Mr. Smith is an "AV" rated business trial attorney with over twenty years of experience.

He represents employers and others in litigation, primarily in the areas of wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment, wage and hour litigation, and related matters.

He also represents individuals and businesses in business, insurance and real estate disputes, with a preference for complex, challenging litigation.

Mr. Smith has extensive trial and appellate experience. He also has negotiated the resolution of many cases through every form of Alternate Dispute Resolution. He is a mediator with the Fresno County Superior Court's ADR program, and regularly serves as a Judge Pro Tem, mediator, arbitrator, and early neutral evaluator

He is available for ADR matters as a mediator or arbitrator, and for assignment as an in dependant investigator, discovery referee or Special Master.

Areas of Practice

• Agriculture Law
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Bad Faith Insurance
• Business & Commercial Law
• Business Organizations
• Civil Rights
• Sexual Harassment
• Employment Law -- Employee
• Employment Law -- Employer
• Native Peoples Law
• Real Estate Law
• Employment Litigation - Defense
• Employment Litigation - Plaintiff
• Business Litigation
• Mediation
• Arbitration
• Insurance Coverage Litigation
• Constitutional Litigation

Representative Cases

• Tosi v. County of Fresno, 161 Cal. App. 4th 799 (2008)
• Pound v. Demera Demera & Cameron, 135 Cal. App. 4th 70 (2005)
• Cook v. Lindsay Olive Growers, 9th Cir. (911 F.2d 233 1990)
• Rose v. Wells Fargo, 9th Cir. (902 F.2d 1417 1990)
• Ariza v. Vallicorp, U.S. App. Lexis 6617 (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California 1998)
• Ariza v. Vallicorp, U.S. App. Lexis 6617 (9th Circuit Court of Appeals 1998)
• Spencer v. Quinlan, Kershaw & Fanucchi , (Fresno County Superior Court 1999)
• Spencer v. Quinlan, Kershaw & Fanucchi , (Fresno County Superior Court 2000)
• Avila v. Winton Ireland, Strom & Green , (Stanislaus County Superior Court 2000)
• Hinkle v. Hershey Chocolate Company , (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California 2000)
• Reich, et. al. v. City of Turlock , (U. S. District Court 1993)
• Reich, et. al. v. City of Turlock , (Stanislaus County Superior Court 1993)
• Reich, et. al. v. City of Turlock , (Fifth District Court of Appeal 1993)
• Reich, et. al. v. City of Turlock , (9th Circuit Court of Appeal 1993)

West Practice Categories

Agriculture Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Arbitration, Mediation, Bad Faith Insurance, Business & Commercial Law, Business Organizations, Civil Rights, Sexual Harassment, Constitutional Law, Employment Law -- Employee, Employment Law -- Employer, Insurance Law, Litigation & Appeals, Native Peoples Law, Real Estate Law