John S. Clifford

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John S. Clifford: Attorney with SMITH LC
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

John S. Clifford is a shareholder at Smith LC with a focus on complex trial work, including matters on behalf of individuals, corporations, fiduciaries, and governmental entities.

Some of Mr. Clifford’s notable trial results include:

● A defense verdict in favor of his clients and against Bank of America in a $90,000,000 trust and community property claim (see article);

● A trial verdict in resulting in the immediate turnover of an Orange County business to his client (see article);

● A defense verdict in favor of an employer accused of sexual harassment in a case highlighted by the Los Angeles County Daily Journal as a top employment verdict;

● A $4.2 million verdict for the wrongful death of a client’s husband killed in the Chatsworth Metrolink train crash;

● A defense verdict against a multi-million dollar construction claim, and a corresponding counter-claim verdict of over one million dollars;

● A defense verdict against a multi-million dollar claim for unfair business practices, wherein Mr. Clifford not only successfully maintained the verdict on appeal, but also obtained the first published case in California holding that California’s unfair business practices laws do not apply to securities transactions (Bowen v. Ziasun Technologies, Inc., 116 Cal.App.4th 777);

● Mr. Clifford has also obtained a non-dischargeable judgment after trial of just under one million dollars in an adversarial proceeding in bankruptcy court; and

● A Defense verdict in a $6 million trademark infringement claim in Federal Court.

In addition to his trial work, Mr. Clifford has successfully argued multiple cases before the California appellate courts as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Clifford also acts as outside general counsel for multiple companies with more than 3,000 employees in California and Utah, including medical groups and doctors serving more than 30,000 patients. Mr. Clifford has also served as general counsel for a Utah based insurance company since 1999, and an Irvine based manufacturing company with sales in excess of $120,000,000 per year since 2013.

Mr. Clifford’s focus on corporate, fiduciary, and medical matters, combined with his extraordinary trial results provide a unique perspective for his clients and allow Mr. Clifford to help his clients assess risk and avoid litigation. Where litigation is unavoidable, Mr. Clifford is a powerful and successful trial advocate on his client’s behalf.
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Areas of Practice (13)

  • Litigation
  • Corporate Law
  • Insurance Litigation
  • Trusts and Estates
  • Personal Injury
  • Torts
  • Real Estate
  • Civil Litigation
  • Complex Litigation
  • Federal Civil Litigation
  • Federal Litigation
  • Trial Practice
  • General Practice

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Western State University, B.S.
Law School Attended:
Western State University, J.D.
Year of First Admission:
1994
Admission:
1994, California; 2005, Utah; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California; U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California; U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California; U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
Memberships:
State Bar of California; American Bar Association; Orange County Bar Association; Utah Bar Association
ISLN:
913049950
Hobbies & interests:
Family, sailing, skiing, photography.

Payment Information

Credit Cards Accepted
Other

Peer Reviews

4.9/5.0 (13 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.8/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.9/5.0

  • Judgment

    5.0/5.0

  • Communication

    5.0/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.8/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 02/25/21 in Complex Litigation

    Highly ethical and highly efficient with good personality. Professionally courteous at all times.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 02/25/21 in Litigation

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 02/25/21 in Litigation

    John is incredibly intelligent, creative, trustworthy, and pleasant to work with. I give him my highest recommendation.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 02/23/21 in Civil Litigation

    John is one of the most knowledgeable and talented lawyers I know. I would recommend him for civil litigation to any of my family or friends.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Associate Counsel on 02/15/21 in General Practice

    I have been a member of the California Bar Association for 52 years, serving as an attorney, judicial officer, adjunct law professor, etc. I have not met or had before me any lawyer quicker or more overall adept that John Clifford.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 01/28/21 in General Practice

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 01/28/21 in Litigation

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 01/28/21 in Corporate Law

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 01/28/21 in Civil Litigation

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 01/28/21 in General Practice

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Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Contact John S. Clifford

Contact Information:

949-593-5447  Phone

smith-lc.com/our-attorneys/john-s-clifford

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