Meet the Team Edelstein, Gilbert, Robson, & Smith LLC
Donald Gilbert Partner Donald B. Gilbert has worked in the political arena since the early 1990′s. Prior to joining Edelstein Gilbert Robson & Smith LLC in 1998, Mr. Gilbert was a partner in the law firm of DeCuir & Somach (now Somach, Simmons & Dunn) in Sacramento where he specialized in the politically-charged areas of water law, land use law, environmental law and public agency law. Mr. Gilbert’s legal practice required advocacy before the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, California state agencies, and local legislative bodies. Mr. Gilbert has lobbied a variety of issues at the California Legislature and the Administration. He has lobbied numerous issues on behalf of small businesses, large corporations, business associations, and public agencies. Mr. Gilbert regularly testifies in legislative committees on behalf of the firm’s clients and frequently works with the Administration, including the Governor’s office, to help advance the clients’ objectives. Mr. Gilbert is a graduate of Hastings College of the Law and has a degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.
Trent Smith Partner Trent Smith worked for over 12 years in the State Capitol prior to joining Edelstein Gilbert Robson & Smith in 2003. Mr. Smith worked both in the State Senate and Assembly. He started his career in 1990 working for the popular and well-respected late Senate Republican Leader Ken Maddy. Mr. Smith was later awarded one of 16 positions in the prestigious Senate Fellowship Program. Upon completing this one-year post-graduate program, he started his 10-year tenure working in various positions in the State Assembly. Mr. Smith worked as a Chief of Staff to Assembly Member Tom Woods of Redding and later to Orange County Assembly Member, Patricia Bates, who served as Vice Chair of the powerful Assembly Appropriations Committee. In this position, Mr. Smith gained a unique and valuable knowledge of the State Budget and related fiscal policy matters. Mr. Smith has extensive experience in numerous policy areas. Among his current areas of advocacy are a variety of local government issues, including energy and water issues. Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis in 1991.
Michael Robson Partner
Michael Robson has worked since 1990 in California politics and has been lobbying since 2001 when he joined the firm of Edelstein, Gilbert, Robson & Smith, LLC. Prior to joining the firm, he served in increasing levels of responsibility and authority for over a decade for one of the most respected members of the California State Legislature, Senator Dede Alpert. Mr. Robson began his long and successful career with Senator Alpert as a legislative aide soon after she was elected to the Assembly in 1990. Mr. Robson became Staff Director / Chief of Staff in 1998, while the Senator served in the crucial position of Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. His work in the Legislature brings an insider’s knowledge of the legislative and state budget process, along with invaluable relationships with key players in government, business, and politics. He is experienced in all public policy areas with particular expertise in environmental safety, utilities, revenue and taxation, local government finance, education and the budget. Mr. Robson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government/Journalism from California State University, Sacramento in 1990.
Jason Ikerd Associate Lobbyist Jason D. Ikerd has been with Edelstein Gilbert Robson & Smith since 2010. Starting as a Legislative Aide, Jason has worked with increasing levels of responsibility since and began lobbying for the firm in 2015. In his time at the firm, Jason has built experience in a number of policy areas and is particularly well versed in climate change, energy, natural resources, and water policy. Jason graduated from U.C. Davis in 2010 with a degree in Political Science.