Judge Stephen L. Smith

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)