William Smelko
Partner
Admissions
California
Address
525 B Street, Suite 2200, San Diego, CA 92101
Office Tel.
619.525.3834
Fax
619.744.5447
Overview
Bill focuses on business bankruptcy, restructuring and corporate governance disputes. He advises banks, credit unions and other financial institutions on a variety of bankruptcy related matters, including plan confirmation objections, asset disposition and use motions, stay relief litigation, lease disputes and the prosecution and defense of discharge objections and nondischargeability complaints. Bill litigates all aspects of bankruptcy matters from both the creditor’s and debtor’s perspective. He is an experienced federal and state court litigator with extensive experience in defending and prosecuting writs, due process violation claims and political challenges based upon both statutory and constitutional rights claims for relief.
- Best Lawyers®, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, and Litigation-Bankruptcy, 2025-present
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating
- Top Lawyers, San Diego magazine, 2017-Present
- JD, University of Michigan Law School, 1980
- HD (Literature), University of Dublin, Trinity College, with Honors (Anglo-Irish Literature), 1976
- BA (American Government and Politics, Speech Communication, English Literature), University of Redlands, summa cum laude, 1975
- Presenter. “Neither a Depositor Nor a Lender Be: Practical Suggestions for Companies with Bank Accounts, Lines of Credit or Bank Loans,” ACC San Diego Webinar, April 13, 2023.
- Co-presenter. “Partnerships and LLC Bankruptcies: Unique Legal Issues and Recent Case Law Developments,” webinar, Strafford, Oct. 4, 2022.
- Co-presenter. “What Every In-House Counsel Needs to Know,” webinar, March 22, 2022.
- Presenter. “The Essentials of Bankruptcy in the Pandemic Era,” webinar, February 24, 2022.
- Co-presenter. “How to Best Protect Yourself When a Customer Files Bankruptcy,” Podcast, August 24, 2020.
- Presenter.“What Suppliers Should Know Before Their Key Customers File For Bankruptcy,” August 20, 2020.
- Author. “3 Steps International Suppliers Should Take Now Before Their Key U.S. Customer Files For Bankruptcy,” August 5, 2020.
- Presenter. “Business Restructuring Options for Turbulent Times,” April 1, 2020.
- Co-author. “Business Assistance Funds Under The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security Act,” March 27, 2020.
- Presenter. “Public Speaking for Lawyers: In Court and Out of Court,” (4-part series), Webinar, July 25, 2018.
- Author. “3 Proactive Steps Lenders should Take in Light of a Recent Appellate Panel Ruling,” January 9, 2018.
- American Legion’s California Boy State Program, Chief Legal Counselor
- La Costa Canyon High School, Canyon Crest Academy and San Dieguito Academy, Policy Debate Coach
- University of California, Berkeley, Assistant Debate Coach
- University of Kentucky, Board Member, Tournament of Champions
- La Mesa Rotary Club, Former Past President & Member
- York, Tom. “Six Attorneys From San Diego Law Firm Procopio Elevated to Partner Status,” Times of San Diego, January 11, 2021.
- “What Skills Do Students Need to be Future-Ready?” Education Week, September 26, 2017