Heather Sciacca Smith
2417 Calle Soria
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
805-965-6105

Heather Sciacca Smith is an Attorney/Mediator with extensive background in civil litigation. She has over 17 years experience handling a wide variety of cases throughout California.  In 1992, she joined Tharpe & Howell as a litigation associate.  In 1994 she became a General Partner and managed the Santa Barbara branch office.  She has tried over 25 cases to verdict.  In 2003, she became a sole practitioner and is focusing her practice on the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution.  In 2005 she founded South Coast Dispute Resolution, serving Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.  She completed Mediation and Negotiation courses through the Straus Institute and Ventura Center for Dispute Settlement.  She has a command of the Spanish language.

Professional Experience

Sole Practitioner, Private Mediation Practice; 2003
Litigation Partner, Tharpe & Howell, Santa Barbara; 1993 - 2003
Associate, Civil Litigation, Bolte & McCormick; 1991-1993
Associate, Civil Litigation, Law Offices of Errol Berk; 1990-1991

Professional Affiliations & Education

Santa Barbara Women Lawyers

Arizona State University, College of Law, Tempe, Arizona

• Juris Doctorate,  1989

University of California, Santa Barbara

• Bachelor’s Degree, Economics, 1986
• Bachelor’s Degree, Political Science, 1986

Universidad de Madrid, Madrid Spain

• Economics and Political Science, 1983-1984

ADR Specialization

Personal Injury, Employment, Real Estate, Insurance, Bad Faith, Business, Breach of Contract