
Ann Marie Smith, Education Attorney in San Diego, California
Over 41 years of legal practice · focused on Education, Employment, and Personal Injury · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
ShareholderatSmith Steiner Vanderpool & Wax
San Diego, CA
Practicing education in San Diego since 1985.
- 41+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 3
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you Ann Marie Smith?
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Quick answer
Ann Marie Smith is a shareholder based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Education, Employment, and Personal Injury. Ann has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Smith Steiner Vanderpool & Wax. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- San Diego, CA
- Experience
- over 41 years
- Known for
- Education · Employment · Personal Injury
- Handles Education, Employment, and Personal Injury matters from San Diego, CA.
- Over 41 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About Ann Marie Smith: Ann Marie Smith is a shareholder based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Education, Employment, and Personal Injury. Ann has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Smith Steiner Vanderpool & Wax. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Ann takes on
Ann concentrates on education, employment, and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case Ann handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Education
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Employment
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Personal Injury
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Education cases in San Diego, California
Ann takes education matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Ann agrees to represent you.
Employment cases in San Diego, California
Ann takes employment matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Ann agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in San Diego, California
Ann takes personal injury matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Ann agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Ann Marie Smith — education lawyer in San Diego
Ann Marie Smith is a shareholder based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Education, Employment, and Personal Injury. Ann has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Smith Steiner Vanderpool & Wax. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Ann Marie Smith is a lawyer practicing employment, labor - education law, personal injury and 1 other area of law. Ann has been licensed for 41 years. Ann practices at Smith Steiner Vanderpool & Wax in San Diego, CA.
Working with Ann on a education matter
Ann Marie Smith is a lawyer practicing employment, labor - education law, personal injury and 1 other area of law. Ann has been licensed for 41 years. Ann practices at Smith Steiner Vanderpool & Wax in San Diego, CA.
Clients Ann works with
Ann reviews new inquiries case-by-case for education, employment, and personal injury matters in San Diego and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Monterey College of Law
J.D. · 1985
Jurisdictions
Ann's state bar admissions
Delaware
1993 · ACTIVE
California
1985 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1985 · ACTIVE
Ann studied at J.D. in Monterey College of Law.
Law school and academic background
Ann completed J.D. in Monterey College of Law. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Ann runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Ann has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
Ann's professional memberships and bar associations
San Diego County Bar Association State Bar of California Lawyers Club
membership
Locations
Ann Marie Smith's office in San Diego
Ann's primary office is at 401 West 'A' Street, Suite 320, San Diego, CA, 92101. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Smith Steiner Vanderpool & Wax
401 West 'A' Street, Suite 320
San Diego, CA 92101
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Ann Marie Smith — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Ann. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing education attorneys in San Diego.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Ann Marie Smith claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Ann Marie Smith — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new education attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Ann usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Ann charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Ann's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Ann will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a education attorney in San Diego, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many education matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Ann
Ann discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in education practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every education matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Ann confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Ann's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many education practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Ann Marie Smith
How much does it cost to hire Ann for a education case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Ann walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Ann offer a free consultation?
Ann charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Ann's office. Some education attorneys offer free consults — check Ann's current terms during booking.
How long do education cases in California typically take?
Simple education matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Ann gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Ann take my case if I'm outside San Diego?
Ann is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Ann will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Ann?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Ann will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Ann accepting new education clients right now?
Ann's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Education attorneys serving San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
Ann handles education matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified education attorneys in that community.
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
More counsel
Other top-rated education attorneys in California
If Ann's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these education attorneys in San Diego handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.




