Overview
Mark C. Smith is the founder and managing attorney of Corcoran Smith Law Corp., where he represents heirs, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and families in inheritance disputes, trust and estate litigation, and other complex civil matters. A UC Berkeley Law graduate and former federal judicial clerk, Mark brings big-firm litigation training and courtroom-focused judgment to every case. He also serves as General Counsel to a global staffing company, experience that sharpens his practical judgment on risk, compliance, and high-stakes decision-making for the clients he represents.
Multifaceted career
A combat-tested attorney and strategic advocate.
Mark Smith's career is built across military service, federal court, complex litigation, estate disputes, and business leadership.
Combat-tested advocate
Mark’s 20-plus years of Army service, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, shaped the discipline, composure, and resolve he brings to difficult disputes.
U.S. Army combat veteran, two Bronze Stars, Combat Action Badge
Federal-court trained litigator
His Berkeley Law education, Orrick litigation training, and federal judicial clerkship give him a judge-centered view of evidence, credibility, and strategy.
UC Berkeley Law, Orrick, U.S. District Court clerkship
Estate litigation strategist
Mark helps heirs, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and families understand their position, organize the record, and choose the right next step in contested estate matters.
Inheritance disputes, trust litigation, probate conflicts
Business operator and general counsel
As both a law firm founder and COO/General Counsel of a global staffing company, Mark brings practical business judgment to risk, compliance, and decision-making.
Founder of Corcoran Smith Law; COO and General Counsel, global staffing company
Experience
Mark earned his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and began his legal career at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, where he practiced in the firm’s Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution group. Shortly after joining Orrick, Mark was selected to serve as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Morrison C. England, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, an experience that refined his understanding of how judges evaluate legal arguments, evidence, and credibility.
After clerking, Mark returned to Orrick, where he represented Fortune 500 companies, high-growth technology companies, and quasi-public entities in high-stakes civil litigation and regulatory-adjacent disputes. His work included matters involving clients and entities such as Meta Platforms, Inc., Getaround, Inc., Westlands Water District, the California Earthquake Authority, and the California Conservation & Liquidation Office on behalf of the California Insurance Commissioner.
Mark’s litigation experience spans the full lifecycle of a case, including early case assessment and strategy, discovery planning and execution, motion practice, deposition preparation and defense, expert and trial preparation, as well as settlement evaluation. He is equally focused on helping clients avoid unnecessary disputes and regulatory exposure by identifying risk early, building strong records, and making practical decisions that reduce the likelihood of litigation, or improve the client’s position if litigation becomes unavoidable.
Outside the office, Mark married his high school sweetheart, Julie, and they have four wonderful children together.
Military Experience
In addition to his legal career, Mark served in the military as both an enlisted Soldier and a combat arms officer. Mark was a 17-year-old Army trainee when the attacks of 9/11 occurred, setting the tone for his 20-plus years of service. After quickly climbing the enlisted ranks, Mark’s commander sent him to Officer Candidate School, where he earned the Erickson Trophy as the top Honor Graduate of his commissioning class. Mark’s military career gave him opportunities to participate in overseas contingency operations, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he earned two Bronze Stars for his service. After serving in extensive operational roles in both domestic and overseas settings, Mark retired from the military in 2021.
Education
- J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law
- B.A., Government, California State University, Sacramento, magna cum laude
Clerkships
- Judicial Law Clerk to the Hon. Morrison C. England, Jr., U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
Honors & Service
- Non-Profit Board Member, Hearts and Hands Counseling (Dec. 2022)
- Moot Court Best Brief Award, Moot Court Competition (Dec. 2014)
- CALI Award in Contracts (highest grade in Contracts class of 73 students) (Dec. 2014)
- Tony Patiño Fellow-Elect (merit-based scholarship) (Aug. 2014)
- Bronze Star Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, U.S. Army, Jul. 2009 (1st Award) & Dec. 2013 (2nd Award)
- Combat Action Badge, U.S. Army (Dec. 2008)
- Armor Officer Leadership Course, Commandant’s List (top 10% of 160 Lieutenants), U.S. Army (Jul. 2008)
- Officer Candidate School, Distinguished Honor Graduate – Erickson Trophy (1st of 33 Graduating Candidates, out of a starting class of 74), U.S. Army (Aug. 2007)
