Colleen Duffy Smith, Entertainment Attorney in San Jose, California
Over 34 years of legal practice · focused on Entertainment, Litigation, and Personal Injury · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Partner
San Jose, CA
Practicing entertainment in San Jose since 1992.
- 34+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 2
- Bar admissions
Are you Colleen Duffy Smith?
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Quick answer
Colleen Duffy Smith is a partner based in San Jose, CA. The practice focuses on Entertainment, Litigation, and Personal Injury. Colleen has over 34 years of legal experience. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- San Jose, CA
- Experience
- over 34 years
- Known for
- Entertainment · Litigation · Personal Injury
- Handles Entertainment, Litigation, and Personal Injury matters from San Jose, CA.
- Over 34 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About Colleen Duffy Smith: Colleen Duffy Smith is a partner based in San Jose, CA. The practice focuses on Entertainment, Litigation, and Personal Injury. Colleen has over 34 years of legal experience. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Colleen Duffy Smith
Colleen concentrates on entertainment, litigation, personal injury, real estate, and securities. Each area below outlines the kind of case Colleen handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Entertainment
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Litigation
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Personal Injury
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Real Estate
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Securities
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Business
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IP
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Entertainment cases in San Jose, California
Colleen takes entertainment matters in San Jose, 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 Colleen agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in San Jose, California
Colleen takes litigation matters in San Jose, 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 Colleen agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in San Jose, California
Colleen takes personal injury matters in San Jose, 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 Colleen agrees to represent you.
Real Estate cases in San Jose, California
Colleen takes real estate matters in San Jose, 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 Colleen agrees to represent you.
Securities cases in San Jose, California
Colleen takes securities matters in San Jose, 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 Colleen agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Colleen Duffy Smith — Over 34 years of California entertainment experience
Colleen Duffy Smith is a partner based in San Jose, CA. The practice focuses on Entertainment, Litigation, and Personal Injury. Colleen has over 34 years of legal experience. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Colleen Duffy Smith is a lawyer practicing complex civil litigation, securities, personal injury and 3 other areas of law. Colleen Duffy received a B.A. degree from University of California at Santa Barbara in 1975, and has been licensed for 34 years. Colleen Duffy practices in San Jose, CA.
How Colleen handles entertainment matters
Colleen Duffy Smith is a lawyer practicing complex civil litigation, securities, personal injury and 3 other areas of law. Colleen Duffy received a B.A. degree from University of California at Santa Barbara in 1975, and has been licensed for 34 years. Colleen Duffy practices in San Jose, CA.
Who Colleen represents
Colleen reviews new inquiries case-by-case for entertainment, litigation, and personal injury matters in San Jose and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Colleen Duffy Smith's legal education and bar admissions
University of San Francisco
J.D. · 1992
University of California at Santa Barbara
B.A. · 1975
Jurisdictions
Colleen's state bar admissions
U.S. District Courts
1992 · ACTIVE
California U.S. Cour
1992 · ACTIVE
Colleen studied at J.D. in University of San Francisco and B.A. in University of California at Santa Barbara.
Law school and academic background
Colleen completed J.D. in University of San Francisco and B.A. in University of California at Santa Barbara. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Colleen runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Colleen Duffy Smith
Colleen has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
Colleen's professional memberships and bar associations
Santa Clara County Bar Association State Bar of California The Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Member, Business Torts Section Mentor Program) Consumer Attorneys of California Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers
membership
Locations
Colleen Duffy Smith's office in San Jose
Colleen's primary office is at 1 Unknown, San Jose, CA, 95113. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Colleen Duffy Smith — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Colleen. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing entertainment attorneys in San Jose.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Colleen Duffy Smith claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Colleen Duffy Smith — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new entertainment attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Colleen usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Colleen charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Colleen'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; Colleen will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a entertainment attorney in San Jose, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many entertainment 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 Colleen
Colleen discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in entertainment practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every entertainment 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. Colleen confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Colleen's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many entertainment practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Colleen Duffy Smith
How much does it cost to hire Colleen for a entertainment case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Colleen walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Colleen offer a free consultation?
Colleen charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Colleen's office. Some entertainment attorneys offer free consults — check Colleen's current terms during booking.
How long do entertainment cases in California typically take?
Simple entertainment 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. Colleen gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Colleen take my case if I'm outside San Jose?
Colleen 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 — Colleen 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 Colleen?
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. Colleen will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Colleen accepting new entertainment clients right now?
Colleen's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Entertainment attorneys serving San Jose, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
Colleen handles entertainment matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified entertainment attorneys in that community.
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 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 entertainment attorneys in California
If Colleen's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these entertainment attorneys in San Jose handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.




