Attorney Profile

Michael R. SmentMichael R. Sment
Principal
Email: Contact Michael R. Sment
Phone: 805-654-0311
Fax: 805-654-0334

Mr. Sment has earned an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest recognition possible in the legal industry, for his professionalism and ethics.

Practice areas

Admitted

  • California, 1979
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of California, 1981
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1982
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1983
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 1987
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1991

Education

  • University of San Diego, J.D., 1979
  • University of Southern California, B.A., cum laude, 1976
  • Pepperdine University, Dispute Resolution Institute, Mediation Certificate, 1995

Languages

  • Spanish

Representative transactions

  • Creditor Representation in Chapter 11 reorganizations including:
  •     LandSource Communities Development LLC (2009-2010)
  •     Delphi Automotive Inc. (2006)
  •     Global Crossing Telecommunications Ltd. (2004)
  •     BIBO Inc. (2000)

Representative cases

  • BFP v. Resolution Trust Corporation, 511 U.S. 531, 114 S.Ct. 1757 (USSC 1994)
  • In re Gasprom, Inc.(Gasprom v. Fateh) 500 B.R. 598 (9th Cir. BAP 2013)
  • In re BFP, 974 F.2d 1144 (CA9 1992)
  • In re Taylor, 884 F.2d 478 (CA9 1989)
  • Walker v. California Mortgage Service, 861 F.2d 597 (CA9 1988)

Associations and memberships

  • Ventura County Bar Association (Member, Bankruptcy Section, 1991—; Chairman, 1999—)
  • Ventura Bankruptcy Forum (Member, 1993—; Chairman, 1999–)
  • State Bar of California (Member, Real Property Section, 1980—)
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association (Member, Commercial Law/Bankruptcy Section, 1984-2004)

Biographical details

  • State of California, District Court of Appeal (4th District), Senior Research Attorney, 1979-1980, Extern, 1978
  • Member, San Diego Law Review, 1978-1979
  • Senior Research Fellow, University of San Diego (B. Siegan, “Economics & The Law”), 1978-1979
  • Judge Pro Tempore, Ventura County Superior Court, 1991–
  • Judicial Arbitrator, Ventura County Superior Court, 1992–
  • Settlement Officer, Ventura County Superior Court, 1998–
  • Mediator, U.S. Bankruptcy Court (Central District CA), 1995–
  • Instructor, Ventura College of Law (Legal Research), 2002-2003
  • Instructor/Adjunct Professor, Oxnard College (Contracts, Business Law, Legal Research, Evidence, Civil Litigation, Torts), 1991-2012
  • Instructor, University of California – Santa Barbara (Extension) (Legal Communications; Bankruptcy And Foreclosure Mediation), 2012-2013
  • Member, California Federation of Teachers and American Federation of Teachers, 1991-2013
  • Board Member/Assistant Editor/Author, CITATIONS Magazine, VCBA, 1994–
  • Member, American Bankruptcy Institute, 1985-2005
  • Member, Board of Advisors, Law and Public Services Academy, Oxnard High School, 2007– (Advisor Award,2010)

Michael R. Sment serves clients in Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Somnis, Ojai, Saticoy, Fillmore, Oak View, Port Hueneme and Ventura County.