Stella M. Shih, Esq.​

Founder and Senior Partner

Stella is SMS Law Firm’s original founder and began her career litigating federal and state tax cases with the Legal Aid Society. A naturalized citizen herself, Stella greatly connects with families entering the United States for the first time and the challenges that arise being in a new environment. A recipient of the Wiley w. Manual Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, her experience providing excellent legal services for the under-represented have been a focal point for SMS Law Firm to over-achieve for every client, no matter what background they come from.

She is tri-lingual and is fluent in English, Chinese (Mandarin), and Taiwanese. With over 15 years of legal experience, Stella realized that the Asian community lacked high quality, professional legal services that could bridge the gap both culturally and linguistically for foreign clients. Today, SMS Law Firm is proud to be the largest, local Chinese-speaking law firm in San Diego, California under Stella’s vision.

In Stella’s off-time, you will find her reading, painting, gardening, and spoiling her two shih-tzus at home.

Key Practice Areas: Tax; Immigration; Business; Wills and Trusts; Investments and Wealth Planning; Family;