Monet T. Smith

Education

Arizona State University, Bachelor of Science, 2020
Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Master of Legal Studies, 2021
Southwestern Law School, Juris Doctor, 2025

Admitted

California, November 2025

Associate

Personal Profile

Ms. Smith is an Associate Attorney for Nelson Griffin.

Before law school, Ms. Smith acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Arizona State University. Ms. Smith also acquired a Master of Legal Studies with an emphasis in Criminal law and Business law from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

While attending law school, Ms. Smith was a Student Editor for the Journal of International Media and Entertainment Law; she was a Judicial Extern to the Honorable Judge Alexander C.D. Giza for the Superior Court of California, and the Honorable Presiding Justice Kathleen O’Leary for the California Court of Appeal, 4th District. During her 3rd year of law school, Ms. Smith joined Nelson Griffin as a Law Clerk and has thus began her career in defense litigation.

Ms. Smith’s legal interest includes litigation defense in: Personal Injury, Intellectual Property, Entertainment, and Venture Capital.

Thank you. That was a great win. Please send us a copy of the court’s written decision. It is great news considering how low our expectations were in getting a favorable defendant’s decision in California.

- Glenette

Litigation Specialist/Claims Representative

We really appreciate the excellent work you have done and continue to do so. Over the last 5 years, I have learned that if I had to choose any defense attorney in the LA area to retain, you would be my first choice.

- Steven

Entertainment / Media Claims Representative

It was an amazing result.

- Nicholas

Excess Claims Carrier Representative

Thanks for all the great work.

- Cameron

Complex Claims Director

Gonzales v Mathis

In this case, we represented legendary singer Johnny Mathis. Plaintiff was a window washer who had fallen off the roof at Johnny’s home and become quadriplegic. Plaintiff had been walking on a narrow roof extension he had walked on many times before the fall and was familiar with the roof. Plaintiff had his own window […]

Settlement Demand: $30,000,000

Verdict: MSJ granted for defense and reaffirmed by the California Supreme Court

Frederic. T. Tanner

Perkins v. BET

We represented a staging and production company. Plaintiff was a Production Assistant for BET Networks at the First Annual BET Event. Plaintiff claimed she suffered injuries to both ankles and her back while escorting a high school marching band off the Sprite Basketball court when a wood stair case collapsed. During trial, the other defendants […]

Settlement Demand: $3,000,000

Verdict: 9-3 Defense Verdict

Frederic. T. Tanner & Steven A. Garcia

Ramirez Trial

Plaintiff, a 43-year-old driving instructor, was giving a driving lesson on a residential street in San Bernardino. Our client drove out of her driveway and her car was hit in a T-bone collision by Plaintiff’s vehicle. Liability was admitted, so the trial simply concerned the nature and extent of injuries. Plaintiff suffered a shoulder injury, […]

Settlement Demand: $100,000

Offer: $50,000

Verdict: $33,500

Jury poll: 11-1

Atkins – “Wheaton Terrier v. Child”

Plaintiff, a 6-year-old girl, along with her mother, approached a dog, a Wheaten Terrier with no prior history of bad behavior, in a public park. As she bent down to pet him, the dog jumped up and badly bit the girl’s face. Surgical repair was performed that day, but the child was left with a […]

Steven A. Garcia

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