Justin Daniel Smith (born 1985) (known professionally as Justin Smith) is a lawyer who has been confirmed to serve as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Nominated by President Donald Trump, he is currently a partner at the James Otis Law Group.[1]
Justin Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit | |
| Assumed office June 18, 2026 | |
| Appointed by | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Duane Benton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Justin Daniel Smith 1985 (age 40–41) Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Education | University of Missouri–Kansas City (BA) University of Missouri School of Law (JD) |
Education
editSmith graduated from the University of Missouri–Kansas City with a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in 2007 and University of Missouri School of Law with a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, in 2010. In 2010, he was a law clerk to Judge Nanette Kay Laughrey of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.[2]
Career
editFrom 2010 to 2016, Smith was an associate at the law firm of Shook, Hardy & Bacon in Kansas City, where he focused on civil litigation and regulatory law. From 2017 to 2018, he was Deputy Counsel to Missouri Governor Eric Greitens. From 2018 to 2019, he was General Counsel to the Missouri Department of Agriculture. From 2019 to 2023, Smith was a prosecutor in the Missouri Attorney General's office. In 2023, Smith was a Senior Advisor to United States Senator Eric Schmitt. Since 2024, he has been a partner at the James Otis Law Group, LLC at its Saint Louis office.[2] During this period, Smith served as the personal lawyer of President Donald Trump, and, alongside future Solicitor General D. John Sauer, successfully crafted the legal arguments that would outline the extent of presidential immunity in Trump v. United States.[3] Additionally, during and at the time of his federal judicial nomination, Smith actively represented Trump in his appeal before the Supreme Court regarding Trump's civil verdict of sexual assault against journalist E. Jean Carroll.[4][5]
Federal judicial service
editIn late 2025, Senator Eric Schmitt recommended Smith to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. President Donald Trump formally nominated him on March 2, 2026 to succeed Judge Duane Benton, who had taken senior status.[2] On April 15, 2026, he testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding his nomination. During his hearing he was questioned on his the extent of his professional relationship with Donald Trump, and, whether having acted as his personal lawyer, he would be capable of having the impartiality necessary for a federal judge.[6][7] Smith was further questioned regarding his views on whether or not Joe Biden legitimately won the 2020 election, to which Smith responded that "Congress certified Joe Biden as the president."[8] On May 14, 2026, Smith's nomination was reported to the full Senate by a 12–10 party-line vote.[9] On June 11, 2026 the Senate invoked cloture on a 47–43 vote, and on June 15, 2026, his nomination was confirmed by a 48–43 vote. He received his judicial commission on June 18, 2026.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Mizzou Law alumnus nominated by president for Eighth Circuit judge seat". School of Law. February 19, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Smith, Justin Daniel (March 13, 2026). "Senate Judiciary Committee Questionnaire" (PDF). judiciary.senate.gov. Washington, D.C.: United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
- ↑ Raymond, Nate (June 16, 2026). "2nd Trump personal attorney wins US Senate approval to become appeals court judge". Reuters. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
- ↑ Mantooth, Fletcher (February 19, 2026). "Trump lawyer Justin Smith nominated for circuit judge seat". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Trump picks former personal lawyer from E. Jean Carroll case for 8th Circuit judicial vacancy". ABA Journal. February 20, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
- ↑ Alafriz, Olivia (May 14, 2026). "Trump Lawyer Tapped for Appeals Court Advanced by Senate Panel". Bloomberg Law. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
- ↑ Alafriz, Olivia (June 15, 2026). "Senate Confirms Another Trump Attorney to Appeals Court Seat". Bloomberg Law. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
- ↑ Raymond, Nate (April 15, 2026). "Senate Democrats question loyalty of Trump personal attorney nominated to judgeship". Reuters. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
- ↑ "PN851-7 - Nomination of Justin D. Smith for The Judiciary, 119th Congress (2025-2026)". congress.gov. May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Justin D. Smith at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
External links
edit- Justin D. Smith at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
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