Stephen Smith

Partner

Stephen.Smith@lewisbrisbois.com

Stephen Smith is a partner in the San Diego office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Long-Term Care and Healthcare Practices. Mr. Smith specializes in health care law, with emphasis on long-term care, medical, psychiatric, hospital, and nursing home litigation. Mr. Smith has served as lead counsel on hundreds of high-exposure cases, including binding arbitration, mediation and trial.

  • Long-term care litigation
  • Medical and hospital malpractice litigation
  • Behavioral health litigation
  • Administrative hearings
  • Regulatory matters, including Title 22, ACA, HIPAA, EMTALA and ADA compliance
  • Catastrophic injury cases
  • General liability

Primary Area(s) of Practice

  • Healthcare
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Long-Term Care
  • COVID-19: Healthcare/Long-Term Care/Regulatory

Additional Experience

Admissions

California

Associations

  • American Bar Association, State Bar of California, and San Diego Bar Association
  • San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Association
  • Lawyers Club San Diego
  • Defense Research Institute
  • San Diego Association of Healthcare Risk Managers

Awards & Honors

  • Former Adjunct Faculty, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
  • Former Member, Interfaith Community Services Board of Directors
  • Former Judge Pro Tem, San Diego Superior Court
  • Co-Founder and Director, Interfaith Community Services Legal Clinic
  • President, University of San Diego School of Law Student Bar Association
  • Faculty Member, NITA National Conference on Deposition Practice
  • Law Alumni Service Award, University of San Diego School of Law
  • Founder, Pro Bono Legal Advocates, University of San Diego School of Law
  • ADA Primer for Health Care Providers, San Diego County Medical Society
  • Numerous lectures to attorneys and clients on various aspects of health care law
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America® 2025 & 2026 — Healthcare and Medical Malpractice Law

Education

University of San Diego School of Law

Juris Doctor, 1991

University of San Diego

Bachelors of Arts, 1985

Legal Experience

  • Judge Pro Tem, San Diego Superior Court
  • Adjunct Faculty, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
  • Founder and Director, Interfaith Community Services Legal Clinic
  • Faculty Member, NITA National Conference on Deposition Practice
  • Numerous lectures to attorneys, clients and health care providers on various aspects of health care law
  • Founder, Pro Bono Legal Advocates, University of San Diego School of Law
  • Past Student Body President, University of San Diego School of Law