Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
In office March 11, 2017 – March 10, 2024
Preceded by
William J. Riley
Succeeded by
Steven Colloton
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Incumbent
Assumed office July 19, 2002
Appointed by
George W. Bush
Preceded by
Richard S. Arnold
Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court
In office 1999–2000
Appointed by
Mike Huckabee
Preceded by
David Newbern
Succeeded by
Jim Hannah
Personal details
Born
Lavenski Roy Smith[1]
(1958-10-31) October 31, 1958 (age 65) Hope, Arkansas, U.S.
Political party
Republican
Education
University of Arkansas (BA, JD)
Lavenski R. Smith (born October 31, 1958) is an American lawyer who has served as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit since 2002, serving as chief judge from 2017 to 2024. He previously served as an associate justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court from 1999 to 2000.
Lavenski R. Smith (born October 31, 1958) is an American lawyer who has served as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit...
Representatives from Fort Smith William M. Runyan - Christian songwriter who composed "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" LavenskiSmith - Chief Judge of the U.S...
Eighth Circuit Incumbent Assumed office March 11, 2024 Preceded by LavenskiSmith Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Incumbent...
Hansen, 2002–2003 James B. Loken, 2003–2010 William J. Riley, 2010–2017 LavenskiSmith, 2017–2024 Steven Colloton, 2024–present Eighth Circuit District Judges...
graduating law school, Pryor served as a law clerk for Chief Judge LavenskiSmith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit from 2003...
Minneapolis, MN 1940 1990–present 2003–2010 — G.H.W. Bush 54 Circuit Judge LavenskiSmith Little Rock, AR 1958 2002–present 2017–2024 — G.W. Bush 56 Circuit Judge...
Second NY October 16, 2001 October 10, 2009 Incumbent — G.W. Bush 27 LavenskiSmith Eighth AR July 19, 2002 Incumbent — — G.W. Bush 28 Allyson K. Duncan...
Minneapolis, MN 1940 1990–present 2003–2010 — G.H.W. Bush 54 Circuit Judge LavenskiSmith Little Rock, AR 1958 2002–present 2017–2024 — G.W. Bush 56 Circuit Judge...
Montgomery District Court judge (2012-08-26)". The Washington Post. "Lavenski R. Smith: Biography". U.S. Department of Justice: Office of Legal Policyr....
(Chief Judge; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in Arkansas): LavenskiSmith (1987) in 2017 First African American male: Leon Johnson in 2003 First...
Arkansas Supreme Court Position 5 In office 2001–2005 Preceded by Lavenski R. Smith Succeeded by Betty Dickey Chancery Judge 17th District In office 1979–1999...