Lavenski Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lavenski Smith
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Smith in 2011
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| Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit | |
| In office March 11, 2017 – March 10, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | William J. Riley |
| Succeeded by | Steven Colloton |
| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit | |
| Assumed office July 19, 2002 |
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| Appointed by | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Richard S. Arnold |
| Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court | |
| In office 1999–2000 |
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| Appointed by | Mike Huckabee |
| Preceded by | David Newbern |
| Succeeded by | Jim Hannah |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lavenski Roy Smith
October 31, 1958 Hope, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | University of Arkansas (BA, JD) |
Lavenski R. Smith (born October 31, 1958) is an American lawyer and judge. He has served as a judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit since 2002. From 2017 to 2024, he was the chief judge of this court. Before that, he was a justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court from 1999 to 2000.
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Early Life and Education
Lavenski Smith grew up in Hope, Arkansas. He went to Hope High School. After high school, he studied at the University of Arkansas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981. Later, he got his law degree (Juris Doctor) from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1987.
Career Before Becoming a Judge
Before becoming a federal judge, Smith worked in different legal jobs. He worked as a lawyer in private law firms in Arkansas from 1985 to 1987 and again from 1991 to 1994. From 1987 to 1991, he was a staff attorney at Ozark Legal Services. This organization helps people who cannot afford a lawyer.
Smith also taught as an assistant professor at John Brown University from 1994 to 1996. He then worked for the Arkansas Governor's Office from 1996 to 1997. After that, he led the Arkansas Public Service Commission from 1997 to 1999. This commission helps regulate public services like electricity and water.
In 1999, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee chose Smith to be a justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court. He served in this important role until 2000.
Serving as a Federal Judge
On September 4, 2001, President George W. Bush nominated Lavenski Smith to be a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. This court hears appeals from federal courts in several states. The United States Senate approved his nomination on July 15, 2002.
Smith served as the chief judge of the Eighth Circuit from 2017 until March 10, 2024. In October 2022, he was chosen by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to lead the Judicial Conference's executive committee. This committee helps guide the federal court system.
See also
