Appointed/Elected:

Appointed December 1, 2015, by Governor Mark Dayton. Elected in 2018. Current term expires January 2025. 

Education:

• J.D.: University of Iowa College of Law, 1987
• Bachelor of Journalism: University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 1984 

Employment: 

• Special Assistant Attorney General, Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, 6/1987- 6/1993
• Attorney, Sprenger & Lang, 6/1993 - 12/1996
• Attorney, Messerli & Kramer P.A., 1/1997 - 12/2000
• The Law Firm of Stephen L. Smith, PLLC, 1/2001 - 11/2015
• Assistant State Public Defender, Minnesota State Appellate Defender, 2001 - 11/2015

Professional Memberships:

• Minnesota Employment Lawyers Association (1993 - 2015)
• National Employment Lawyers Association (1997 - 2015)
• Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2003 - 2015)
• Criminal Justice Act Federal Defender Panel and Mentee Program
• Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (1995 - present); former president (2001 - 2002)
• Minnesota State Bar Association (1997 - present); former member, Governing Council, Labor and Employment Law Section (1999 - 2002)
• Board of Governors, Minnesota Association for Justice (f/k/a Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association) (2005 - 2015)
• Minnesota Supreme Court Committee for Equality and Justice (2011 - present) 

Professional and Community Activities:

• Twin Cities Television Community Advisory Council (2012 - present)
• Board of Directors, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights (1991 - 1999)
• Human Rights Commissioner, local municipality (1999 - 2005)
• Big Brother/Big Sisters (1988 - 1993)
• Human Rights Instructor, Partners in Human Rights Program (1995 - 1999)

Additional Information:

• 2002 Minnesota Lawyers Attorney of the Year Award
• 2009 Justice Works Award, Minnesota Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (MN-CAIR)