SMITH LAW OFFICES - Key Persons


Alan Diamond

Job Titles:
  • Attorney

Christopher Romero - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Managing Partner
  • Member of the Education Committee
Christopher Romero's practice is focused on representing private businesses and public entities in civil litigation. Mr. Romero has carved out a niche practice defending home inspectors, individually and through their insurance companies, in litigation. He is the sole defense counsel for one of the largest home inspector insurance providers in California. His public entity work primarily focuses on municipal employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation cases; law enforcement excessive force, search and seizure, and jail cases; child protective services wrongful removal and failure to protect cases; dangerous condition of public property cases; and traffic collision cases. Prior to joining Smith Law Offices, LLP, Mr. Romero exclusively practiced insurance defense litigation, including handling personal injury and construction defect cases. Understanding not all litigated matters are the same, Mr. Romero is known for his ability and willingness to custom tailor his practice of law to meet his clients' specific needs. Professional Affiliations Riverside County Bar Association Federal Bar Association

Dana Smith

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Education Committee
  • Partner
Dana Smith has 23 years of public entity civil litigation defense experience in both state and federal court. She has been lead defense on numerous high profile and catastrophic loss cases. Smith has extensive experience in the areas of dangerous condition of public property, law enforcement civil rights violations, child protection services litigation, employment law, inverse condemnation, medical malpractice, construction defect, public employee negligence, public school liability, and flood control liability issues. Smith was also a former Deputy County Counsel for Riverside County, where she advised the Registrar of Voters and Sheriff's Department, while specializing in election law, law enforcement representation, contract disputes and California Public Records Act litigation. Professional Affiliations Riverside County Bar Association

Doug Smith

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Education Committee
  • Partner
For over 30 years, Doug Smith has represented a multitude of private and public sector clients in various practice areas, including general and professional liability, labor and employment, civil rights litigation, personal injury, healthcare law, business litigation, and administrative law. An associate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Smith has been lead trial counsel in numerous jury trials throughout California, including the Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Riverside, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and San Bernardino Counties. His clients include major national corporations and some of the largest public entities in the state. Additionally, through his practice at the California Veterans Rights Center, Smith provides services to veterans suffering from medical malpractice, employment discrimination and more. He served honorably as a Captain/Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps, and currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel and Judge Advocate in the California Air National Guard.

Erin Brown

Job Titles:
  • Attorney / Professional Affiliations

Fiona Chen

Job Titles:
  • Attorney / Professional Affiliations

Franklin U. Obi

Job Titles:
  • Attorney / Professional Affiliations

John Byerly

Job Titles:
  • Attorney / Professional Affiliations

Joy Chang

Job Titles:
  • Attorney / Professional Affiliations

Julian V. Lee

Job Titles:
  • Attorney / Professional Affiliations

Karen Capasso

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Education Committee
  • Partner
Karen Capasso's practice is focused on public entity law and labor and employment litigation. As a practicing attorney for almost 14 years, and an attorney with Smith Law Offices, LLP for over a decade, Capasso has represented some of the largest employers in the Inland Empire. Prior to joining Smith Law Offices, LLP, she handled employment law and construction defect litigation cases for major businesses in San Diego and Orange County. Capasso is recognized for her exceptional writing and arguing of motions at hearing, in addition to her dynamic ability to counsel her clients and witnesses. Professional Affiliations Riverside County Bar Association Federal Bar Association

Mario E. Garcia

Job Titles:
  • Attorney