Lavenski R. Smith

Judge Lavenski R. Smith

Personal

Birthday:

1958

Birthplace:

Hope, AR

Race or Ethnicity:

African American

Gender:

Male

Prior Employment:

Law clerk in private practice, Arkansas, 1985-1987
Staff attorney, Ozark Legal Services, 1987-1991
Private practice, Springdale, Arkansas, 1991-1994
Assistant professor, John Brown University, 1994-1996
Regulatory liaison, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Arkansas, 1996-1997
Arkansas Public Service Commission, 1997-1999, 2001-2002; chairman, 1997-1999; commissioner, 2001-2002
Associate justice, Arkansas Supreme Court, 1999-2000

Nominated to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, May 22, 2001; no Senate vote

Education

Name of School:

University of Arkansas

Degree:

B.A.

Degree Year:

1981

Name of School - Second:

University of Arkansas School of Law

The University of Arkansas School of Law, one of National Jurist magazine's Top 20 Values in legal education and U.S. News and World Reports top 45 public law schools, will prepare you for success. Located in the heart of the beautiful University of Arkansas campus, the law school offers challenging courses taught by nationally recognized faculty, unique service opportunities, and a close-knit community that puts law students first.

Degree - Second:

J.D.

Degree Year - Second:

1987

Judicial Career

Court Name:

U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Court Name:

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

President Nominating:

George W. Bush

Party Affiliation of President:

Republican

Commission Date:

7/19/2002