Jihad M. Smaili

Jihad M. Smaili, Esq., is a Principal and Partner of the firm Smaili & Associates, P.C., in Santa Ana. Mr. Smaili graduated from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (magna cum laude, law review editor), where he received numerous academic awards, and was immediately admitted to the practice of law in September of 1998 in Ohio. His early career focused on public service.  He was appointed Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio in its Corrections Litigation Section in Columbus, Ohio.

After serving in that position for a few years, Mr. Smaili was appointed as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the General Felony Unit for Cuyahoga County (Cleveland). Throughout his years of public service, Mr. Smaili tried numerous state and federal bench and jury trials to verdict. After the terrorist attacks on our Country in September, 2001, Mr. Smaili resigned his public position and commenced representing plaintiffs subjected to hate crimes, discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the workplace and in government, and defended those wrongfully accused of politically-motivated crimes and immigration removal proceedings.

In 2006, Mr. Smaili moved to California after he accepted an in-house counsel position in the healthcare industry. In 2009, Mr. Smaili commenced representing clients in the areas of employee and employer rights, criminal defense, immigration, civil rights, medical malpractice (plaintiff and defense), and personal injury.  Currently, and for the past twelve years, Mr. Smaili has dedicated his practice to the plight of the undervalued and abused employee, as well as certain personal injury and medical malpractice cases. 

Mr. Smaili is admitted to the California and Ohio Bars, 6th Circuit Court of Appeals (argued); United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (trials); United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (trials); All immigration courts (master calendar hearings and individual hearings); United States District Court for the Southern District of California; United States District Court for the Central District of California; United States District Court for the Eastern District of California; Executive Office for Immigration Review Pro Bono Program. 

Practice Areas

Employment Law (discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination). 

Personal Injury (select cases) 

Medical malpractice (select cases) 

Bar Admissions

California Bar Since 2009  

Central District of California Since 2009  

Northern District of Ohio Since 1999  

Ohio Bar Since 1998  

Southern District of California Since 2009  

Southern District of Ohio Since 1999  

6th Circuit Since 1999 

Professional Experience

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office 2000-2002

Assistant Attorney General, Ohio Attorney General 1998-2000 

In-House Counsel, 2006-2009 

Private Practice, 2009-current