Brent has over 24 years of civil litigation experience, including experience as a trial attorney with the federal government and at a leading litigation firm.
Brent Smyth —
Senior Counsel
Brent brings over two decades of litigation experience to Trust Law Partners, with a background in complex fraud prosecution. Before joining the firm, Brent spent sixteen years with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in both its Los Angeles and San Francisco offices, where he led high-profile enforcement actions and successfully litigated dozens of securities fraud cases.
Brent’s work at the SEC included prosecuting the largest securities fraud in Oregon history, benefitting hundreds of elderly victims of financial abuse, and securing a favorable jury verdict in a landmark insider trading trial. He has deep experience unraveling sophisticated fraudulent schemes, including those involving layered corporate structures and deceptive accounting practices.
Prior to his public service, Brent practiced at one of the nation’s top litigation firms, gaining valuable experience representing clients in high-stakes commercial disputes. His deep courtroom experience and strategic approach make him a formidable advocate in contested trust and estate matters.
Brent obtained his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin and his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. Brent was admitted to the California State Bar in 2001.
Brent lives in the Bay Area with his wife and three children. He enjoys hiking, reading history, and cheering on the region’s sports teams.
practice areas
- Trust and Probate Litigation
- Fiduciary Litigation
- Financial Elder Abuse
licensed jurisdictions
- California State Courts
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States District Court, Central District of California
- United States District Court, Eastern District of California
memberships, affiliations & associations
- California Bar Association