ORANGE COUNTY; Apr. 21, 2017 – Judicate West, one of California’s leading providers of private dispute resolution services, adds retired Orange County Superior Court Judge Clay M. Smith to its roster of exclusive neutrals.

“Judge Smith has a sterling reputation based on his extensive work overseeing family matters in Orange County. Further, his track record in getting to resolutions and deep knowledge in this often emotionally charged legal sector will be assets to Judicate West and our clients throughout the southland,” said Alan Brutman, President of Judicate West. “We are excited to welcome Judge Smith to our line-up of neutrals in Southern California.”

Judge Smith served nearly two decades on the Superior Court, elevating to the bench in 1998 following his appointment to the North Orange County Municipal Court by Gov. Pete Wilson the year prior. During his tenure, he served as the Supervising Judge for the court’s Family Law Panel for 3 years, overseeing a panel of 19 judicial officers and thousands of pending cases, and was the presiding judge of the court’s Appellate Division. Immediately preceding his appointment, Judge Smith spent a combined 16 years as general counsel for Catellus Development Corporation and Santa Fe Pacific Corporation. He was also a trustee of the Orange County Public Law Library and a former faculty member for Fullerton College.

Judge Smith earned his J.D. from the University of Utah School of Law (1977) and his B.A., cum laude, from Brigham Young University (1974).