---
title: Clifton N. Smoot
url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/clifton-n-smoot
---

![Clifton N. Smoot](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/media/zoo/images/Smoot-Clifton_5f9dd7d4ba0ceff08d35e93a4b0e92bb.jpg)

# Clifton N. Smoot

Clifton N. Smoot is an attorney with *The Veen Firm*, San Francisco, on the Leary Trial Team. His team handles complex cases involving life-altering injuries or death. His practice area includes products liability, workplace injuries, dangerous conditions of property, and vehicle negligence. He is a member of SFTLA, CAOC, AAJ, and The Lawyers’ Club of San Francisco Inn of Court, and also helps coach the UC Hastings Trial Team. *.*He is a graduate of The Johns Hopkins University and UC Hastings College of the Law.

### Articles written by this author:

## [Defense apologies at trial: Sorry, but that ship has sailed](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2017-may/defense-apologies-at-trial-sorry-but-that-ship-has-sailed "Defense apologies at trial: Sorry, but that ship has sailed")

A look at the elements of a real apology, and how to avoid a tactical apology at trial

[Clifton N. Smoot](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/clifton-n-smoot "Clifton N. Smoot")

[2017 May](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2017-may)

## [The defense medical exam is not an interrogation](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-october/the-defense-medical-exam-is-not-an-interrogation "The defense medical exam is not an interrogation")

Don’t let the medical examiner conduct an oral examination – this isn’t a deposition

[Clifton N. Smoot](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/clifton-n-smoot "Clifton N. Smoot")

[2018 October](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2018-october)

## [Turn up the heat on your record subpoenas](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-april/turn-up-the-heat-on-your-record-subpoenas "Turn up the heat on your record subpoenas")

You’ve served the subpoena duces tecum but still don’t have the documents – here’s your game plan

[Clifton N. Smoot](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/clifton-n-smoot "Clifton N. Smoot")

[2019 April](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-april)

[![Can your client’s helper join the meeting?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/media/zoo/images/Smoot-istock-942969358_9bc70a0b87fa654c2a902fbe3ad89033.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-october/can-your-client-s-helper-join-the-meeting "Can your client’s helper join the meeting?")

## [Can your client’s helper join the meeting?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-october/can-your-client-s-helper-join-the-meeting "Can your client’s helper join the meeting?")

Protecting attorney-client privilege when third parties are involved in discussions with you

[Clifton N. Smoot](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/clifton-n-smoot "Clifton N. Smoot")

[2021 October](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-october)