Christopher E. Faenza

Chris Faenza is a partner at Yoka | Smith and is an experienced  trial attorney, specializing in catastrophic injury cases, as well as business litigation and products liability matters. Chris has extensive trial experience, having taken over 85 jury trials to verdict in both New Jersey and California. Of the cases Chris has taken to verdict, more than 80% of the cases have resulted in a defense verdict and most of the remaining verdicts have come in below the final demand made in those matters. Chris has obtained defense verdicts in wrongful death, intentional torts, and business litigation matters alike, and across different industries including, health clubs, trucking and products.

Chris is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), holding a rank of Advocate, and was the Los Angeles chapter President in 2023. Chris is also a board member Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (ASCDC) and served as President of the organization in 2019. Chris was President in 2022 of the California Defense Counsel, which is the political arm of the ASCDC and the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada. 

Chris was inducted into the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship in the College is limited to the top one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province.

Chris holds a Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Law and B.S. in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University. 

Awards & Recognition

• Super Lawyers, 2011 - 2023

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, Past President/Board Member
• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• American College of Trial Lawyers