She was selected by the National Trial Lawyers Association as Top 40 Under 40 for 2021 through 2024.
SANTA CLARA, CA, May 16, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Moksha C. Smith, Esq., has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Smith currently serves as Senior Counsel at Magdalena Law Group, a position she has held since 2019. In this role, she is deeply involved in the intricacies of Criminal Defense and Family Law, fiercely advocating for her clients, and appearing in the courtroom to litigate on a daily basis.
As a former prosecutor for over five years and advocating for the rights of victims in child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault cases, Moksha Smith is a champion for her clients by striving for justice in the court system. She pioneered the Criminal Defense division at Magdalena Law Group as a Senior Attorney, where she handles complex felony and misdemeanor cases. She has taken numerous trials to verdict: 25 jury trials, hundreds of bench trials, and conducted countless preliminary hearings and motions. She was awarded her Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience, double‑minoring in Psychology and Biology from the University of California, San Diego. She competed on Santa Clara Law's Trial Team, earned awards in National Competitions, and was selected by the National Trial Lawyers Association as Top 40 Under 40 for 2021 through 2024.
Driven by a desire to understand the complexities of the human brain and neuroplasticity, Ms. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience, with Minors in Biology and Psychology, from the University of California San Diego in 2010. At UCSD, she was a leader in the student community by being selected as a Wellness Peer Educator where she advocated for wellness in her own college community. She subsequently attained a Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2014.
Prior to her role at Magdalena Law Group, Ms. Smith worked as a Deputy District Attorney at the Sonoma County and Napa County District Attorney's Offices. Her journey through the legal field began with roles as a criminal research attorney volunteer at the Hall of Justice of the Superior Court of Santa Clara County from 2014 to 2015, a Post-Bar clerk at San Mateo District Attorney's Office in 2014, and various clerkships, all of which provided her with a solid foundation in legal writing, research, and courtroom skills.
Ms. Smith's career is distinguished not only by her roles, but also by her active participation in such professional organizations such as the California District Attorneys Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the National Trial Lawyers Association, being awarded the recognition of 40 under 40 (2021-2024), Forbes Advisor as the 10 best Criminal Defense Attorneys in San Jose, Best Family Law Attorney award, Best Criminal Defense Attorney in San Jose, Super Lawyers Rising Star award , and the Victim Advocate Award from the District Attorney's Office.
Beyond her professional endeavors, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement through her involvement with organizations such as Fresh Lifelines for Youth and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Her dedication to community service is further evidenced by her work with high school students through mock trial programs; a passion she has demonstrated by excelling in Trial Team and Mock Trial in her own career.
Ms. Smith served in AmeriCorps in college for two summers where she volunteered at Trinity Christian Community, New Orleans, and taught classes, mentoring under-represented youth in Hollygrove. This experience was a pivotal experience for her.
Ms. Smith attributes her success to overcoming adversity from a young age, which instilled in her resilience and a problem-solving mentality that has been crucial throughout her career. She became a caretaker of her own mother at the age of 19 and had to make complex decisions without much guidance; she had to take the lead to avoid her own parent becoming homeless. Seeing her own mother institutionalized, was heart breaking and forever taught her to be a fighter not only for her mother, but for herself and others. From a young age, Ms. Smith had to learn how to adapt. Moving from Boston, Switzerland, India, Pleasanton, New Orleans, among other locations, required flexibility, adaptability, and an ability to connect with different groups and demographics.
These experiences have instilled the drive in Ms. Smith to be relentless, strong, and most of all compassionate in her career. She approaches her cases from a lens of compassion and an innate ability to relate to individuals in true hardship.
Most recently, she enjoys staying involved in the community by being a part of the Finance Committee for the Santa Clara Bar Association, continuing her passion for Mock trial by judging local competitions, and acting as a Temporary Judge for the family court settlements. On May 6, 2024, Ms. Smith was invited to be a member of the Board of Directors for the Niroga Institute, a local non-profit organization which brings resources for mindfulness to at-risk youth, the prison community, hospitals and a variety of populations.
Outside of her career and civic contributions, Ms. Smith enjoys traveling, soaking in nature, spending time with friends, family, her husband, and her dog, Biscotti! Looking ahead, she aspires to become both a certified Criminal Law specialist and a Certified Family Law specialist. Having passed the Criminal law specialization exam, she is now focused on completing her application and meeting the requirements for certification. Additionally, Ms. Smith looks forward to finding her own vision in the legal field and the non-profit sector, expanding her impact within the legal community, while continuing to advocate for justice and support those in need.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
# # #