About Donald Victor Smiley
Donald Victor Smiley Jr. is a licensed attorney admitted to practice law in California. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1986. His license is currently in active status. Mr. Smiley is the principal attorney at the Law Offices of Donald V. Smiley, APC, a firm located in Santa Monica, California. He has been practicing law for over 39 years, serving clients throughout the state.
Mr. Smiley earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University in 1982. He then pursued his Juris Doctor at Pepperdine University School of Law, graduating in 1986. During his time at Pepperdine, he developed a strong foundation in legal principles, which has informed his subsequent practice.
Mr. Smiley concentrates his practice in the areas of entertainment and sports law, as well as arbitration and mediation. He represents clients in matters involving contract negotiations, film production, distribution, and litigation. His practice encompasses all stages of legal proceedings, including initial case evaluation, discovery, mediation, settlement negotiations, and trial proceedings in both state and federal courts.
Throughout his career, Mr. Smiley has handled cases in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, the United States District Court for the Central District of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He has also appeared before the California Court of Appeal on multiple occasions. Prior to founding his own firm, he worked as an associate at a mid-size litigation firm in Century City for five years.
Mr. Smiley is an active member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the California State Bar Association. He holds membership in the American Bar Association Section of Litigation. He is also a certified mediator through the Los Angeles County Superior Court mediation program. Mr. Smiley is fluent in English and Spanish, allowing him to serve the diverse communities of Los Angeles County effectively.
