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Rochelle Smith

Attorney

The Link Virtual Office
phone: 213.356.2983
fax: 213.337.6551

email: [email protected]

Los Angeles*

Overview Experience Case Studies

Insights Events News

Outside the Office Community Leadership

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Overview

Rochelle defends clients in mass tort and product liability matters, helping them reach fair and favorable resolutions.

After beginning her career as a litigator, Rochelle found herself working more and more often on product liability litigation. She loved not only the excitement and fast pace, but the way each case always aimed to reach a fair resolution. Rochelle quickly gained experience preparing expert witnesses, analyzing medical records, taking and defending depositions, and drafting motions in both state and federal court. While her past work includes defending auto manufacturers and a leading technology company in traditional product liability litigation, Rochelle focuses today on toxic tort cases, especially those involving silicosis.

Although Rochelle aims to resolve cases early in the process or through alternative forms of dispute resolution when in the client’s best interests, she’s never afraid to try a case, and she has twice tried cases to verdict before juries. A naturally inquisitive person who’s eager to get to the bottom of a matter and understand every last piece, she has a gift for simplifying matters so that judges and jurors can quickly and easily grasp the client’s argument. Rochelle is also experienced in defending clients in notoriously difficult jurisdictions, working frequently in Los Angeles County.

Clients can have confidence that Rochelle takes their cases very seriously, giving her all to the litigation until it’s resolved. They also value her real time feedback as she works to provide them with the detailed communication they need.

Industries

Manufacturing

Technology

Transportation

Services

Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution

Product Liability

Toxic Tort

Recognition

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Product Liability Litigation—Defendants, 2023 and 2024

Education

J.D., University of Southern California Gould School of Law
B.A., Howard University
- summa cum laude

Admissions

California
Virginia
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

*Contact Rochelle to set up an in-person consultation by appointment in the Los Angeles office.

Experience

Defended auto manufacturers in products liability litigation.
Reviewed and analyzed medical records in product liability matters to evaluate the merits of the claims asserted and assess liability.
Served on trial team in high stakes litigation for a leading technology company.
Defended and prosecuted single and class employment actions in cases alleging claims for wage and hour violations, unsafe workplace, and breach of employment contracts.
Took and defended witness depositions in warranty litigation, product liability litigation, and employment litigation.
Identified expert witnesses and assisted in preparing the expert witnesses for trial in warranty and employment litigation.
Served as second chair associate at trial in warranty litigation.

Outside the Office

Most of Rochelle’s free time is dedicated to her young son, who loves to be outdoors and visit any jumping-centered play area Rochelle can find.

Rochelle also enjoys hiking, eating out, and traveling—although the latter is definitely different with a little one in tow! Her favorite destination of all time is Hawaii.

Rochelle at Dodger Stadium, ready to run a Spartan race.

Rochelle at the Colosseum in Rome.

king a cooking class in Italy.

Ready to see Lion King.

Community Leadership

Rochelle provides pro bono services to the Alliance for Children’s Rights, assisting with adoption for foster youth in Los Angeles County.