Mark C. Smith
Principal
Mark C. Smith is the founder and managing attorney of Corcoran Smith Law Corp., where he represents individuals, fiduciaries, and businesses in complex civil disputes. A UC Berkeley Law graduate and former federal judicial clerk, Mark brings big-firm litigation training and courtroom-focused judgment to each matter. In addition to his law practice, Mark serves as the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of MyOutDesk, a global professional staffing company with thousands of employees and contractors worldwide, where he leads enterprise operations and advises on company-wide legal risk, compliance, and strategic growth—including global expansion into the Asia Pacific, Africa, and LATAM markets.
mark.smith@corcoransmithlaw.com
EXPERIENCE

Mark earned his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and began his legal career at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, where he practiced in the firm’s Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution group. Shortly after joining Orrick, Mark was selected to serve as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Morrison C. England, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California—an experience that refined his understanding of how judges evaluate legal arguments, evidence, and credibility.


After clerking, Mark returned to Orrick, where he represented Fortune 500 companies, high-growth technology companies, and quasi-public entities in high-stakes civil litigation and regulatory-adjacent disputes. His work included matters involving clients and entities such as Meta Platforms, Inc., Getaround, Inc., Westlands Water District, the California Earthquake Authority, and the California Conservation & Liquidation Office on behalf of the California Insurance Commissioner.


Mark’s litigation experience spans the full lifecycle of a case, including early case assessment and strategy, discovery planning and execution, motion practice, deposition preparation and defense, expert and trial preparation, as well as settlement evaluation. He is equally focused on helping clients avoid unnecessary disputes and regulatory exposure by identifying risk early, building strong records, and making practical decisions that reduce the likelihood of litigation—or improve the client’s position if litigation becomes unavoidable.


Outside the office, Mark married his high school sweetheart, Julie, and they have four wonderful children together.

Education

  • J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law
  • B.A., Government, California State University, Sacramento, magna cum laude
MILITARY EXPERIENCE

In addition to his legal career, Mark served in the military as both an enlisted Soldier and a combat arms officer. Mark was a 17-year-old Army trainee when the attacks of 9/11 occurred, setting the tone for his 20-plus years of service. After quickly climbing the enlisted ranks, Mark’s commander sent him to Officer Candidate School, where he earned the Erickson Trophy as the top Honor Graduate of his commissioning class. Mark’s military career gave him opportunities to participate in overseas contingency operations, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he earned two Bronze Stars for his service. After serving in extensive operational roles in both domestic and overseas settings, Mark retired from the military in 2021.

Honors & Service

Clerkships


  • Judicial Law Clerk to the Hon. Morrison C. England, Jr., U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

Honors & Service


  • Non-Profit Board Member, Hearts and Hands Counseling (Dec. 2022) 
  • Moot Court Best Brief Award, Moot Court Competition (Dec. 2014)
  • CALI Award in Contracts (highest grade in Contracts class of 73 students) (Dec. 2014)
  • Tony Patiño Fellow-Elect (merit-based scholarship) (Aug. 2014)
  • Bronze Star Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, U.S. Army, Jul. 2009 (1st Award) & Dec. 2013 (2nd Award)
  • Combat Action Badge, U.S. Army (Dec. 2008)
  • Armor Officer Leadership Course, Commandant’s List (top 10% of 160 Lieutenants), U.S. Army (Jul. 2008)
  • Officer Candidate School, Distinguished Honor Graduate – Erickson Trophy (1st of 33 Graduating Candidates, out of a starting class of 74), U.S. Army (Aug. 2007)

OUR TEAM