Timothy M. Smith

Partner. Tim received his BA from Pepperdine University in 1983 with honors, and his JD from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, in 1986, where he served on the Law Review Legislative Review staff.

Tim was admitted to the California State Bar in 1986. From 1986-1990 Tim was an associate with Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard, one of the largest Sacramento law firms, focusing on public agency representation. In 1990, Tim transitioned to McKinley, Gay, Keitges & Pach where he represented insurance companies and defendants in personal injury litigation. He was trained in litigation by a premier defense attorney, William McKinley. He also was the firm’s primary attorney on select plaintiff’s personal injury claims. In 1994, William McKinley and Tim formed their own firm, McKinley & Smith, APC, in Sacramento, where Tim practiced for over 21 years. Tim has been AV rated since the mid-1990s. Tim joined Trachtman Law Group LLP in 2015.

Tim has defended various commercial enterprises, including ski areas, recreational equipment firms, small businesses and churches. Through Tim’s extensive experience in ski-related litigation, he has become one of the foremost experts on the doctrine of primary assumption of risk and the application of express assumption of risk. Tim has also has significant professional liability experience especially in legal malpractice matters. Tim has had overwhelming trial success, leading to recognition as a northern California SuperLawyer and to certification as a civil trial specialist from 2009-2014. Tim has tried cases in six (6) California counties and in several Federal District courts. Further, Tim has argued multiple appeals before the 9th Circuit, the California Supreme Court and multiple Courts of Appeal. Tim has seven (7) published appellate decisions and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. From time to time, Tim has successfully prosecuted multiple plaintiff’s personal injury matters to significant verdicts.

Tim has a reputation as a creative attorney who is not afraid to think outside of the box.