Manning Kass Expands into the Inland Empire with Integration of Smith Law Group

INLAND EMPIRE, January 5, 2026 — Manning Kass, a nationally recognized law firm, is proud to announce its expansion into the Inland Empire through the integration of Smith Law Group. Establishing a new office located in Riverside, this development enhances the firm’s regional presence and strengthens its ability to serve its clients with both local insight and national resources.

Led by acclaimed trial attorney Doug Smith, Smith Law Group joins Manning Kass’ Governmental Entity Liability team, further bolstering one of the firm’s core practice areas. Smith brings more than 30 years of experience, with a practice deeply rooted in the Inland Empire. Prior to his legal career on the West Coast, Smith served as a judge advocate in the Marine Corps. After relocating to California, Smith founded Smith Law Group, which has evolved to primarily represent public entities.

As part of this expansion, Manning Kass welcomes nine attorneys and nine support staff members; a team whose work culture is defined as being “premised and focused on integrity, honesty, open door transparency, and unselfishness,” as described by Smith. Manning Kass Firm Managing Partner Dennis Kass echoes this sentiment, stating, “Doug has built an amazing team, and his culture of empowerment and respect are at the core – a core set of principles that drives us.” The team brings extensive experience in public entity defense, employment litigation, personal injury defense, amongst other practice areas that mesh well with Manning Kass’ existing practice groups.

For Smith and his team, the goal was growth without compromising the culture they had cultivated. “Manning Kass fit that mold for us. They are a national law firm headquartered in Los Angeles, who share the same values as Smith Law Group, and also, uniquely they are on many of the same client panels that we are on.” Smith added that the partnership offers a natural transition for both his office and client base, particularly given his longstanding professional relationship with Eugene Ramirez, Founding Partner and Co-Leader of Manning Kass’ Governmental Entity Liability team. Ramirez noted that he and Doug have known each other for many years, stating, “His team represents some of the same public entities that we represent. Our clients will benefit from the merging of teams.”

With the opening of its Inland Empire office, Manning Kass broadens its physical footprint in the region, reinforcing its commitment to providing localized service. Dennis Kass emphasized the importance of this presence, while Smith described the Inland Empire as a “large, growing community in need of good lawyers to represent the institutional clients,” adding that being based locally “physically allows local people to do local things with local clients, which is always important in terms of outcomes and services.” While Manning Kass has long represented clients throughout the Inland Empire, this integration establishes a permanent local office and deepens the firm’s ability to address client needs.

Both firms expressed strong enthusiasm for this transition, with Kass stating, “Adding new people like Doug and his team is important to our continued growth, while keeping our amazing firm culture.” This strategic partnership expands resources and opportunities for both current and future clients, while maintaining a shared commitment to excellence. Smith noted that Manning Kass’ reputation is well known throughout the region, reinforcing the alignment between the two firms. “Our clients are very happy that Smith Law has found a national law firm that shares our same values and commitment to client excellence.”

Together, Manning Kass and Smith Law Group enter this next chapter with a shared vision grounded in collaboration, service, and long-term client success. The integration reflects Manning Kass’ continued commitment to thoughtful growth, deep regional investment, and delivering high-quality legal representation to public entities across California and beyond.

Read more about the integration in the full press release below.

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