Russell Evans Smith
Encyclopedia
Russell Evans Smith was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Butte, Montana
, Smith received an LL.B. from the University of Montana School of Law
in 1931. He was a marshal and law clerk
to the Montana Supreme Court
from 1931 to 1933. He was in private practice in Cut Bank, Montana
from 1933 to 1935, and in Missoula, Montana
from 1935 to 1942. He was an Instructor, University of Montana Law School from 1937 to 1942, and was then chief attorney of Montana's Office of Price Administration from 1942 to 1943. He was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy
, in Aviation Combat Information during World War II
, from 1943 to 1945. He returned to private practice in Missoula from 1945 to 1966, also continuing to teach at the University of Montana Law School from 1946 to 1966.
On February 16, 1966, Smith was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson
to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Montana
vacated by William D. Murray
. Smith was confirmed by the United States Senate
on March 25, 1966, and received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge of the District from 1968 to 1978, assuming senior status
on May 12, 1979. He served in that capacity until his death.
The Russell Smith Courthouse in Missoula is named for him.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Butte, Montana
Butte, Montana
Butte is a city in Montana and the county seat of Silver Bow County, United States. In 1977, the city and county governments consolidated to form the sole entity of Butte-Silver Bow. As of the 2010 census, Butte's population was 34,200...
, Smith received an LL.B. from the University of Montana School of Law
University of Montana School of Law
The University of Montana School of Law offers an alternative to big, urban law schools where students and faculty are often physically proximate. It is the first and only law school in the state of Montana and each year, the school enrolls approximately 84 students from across the country....
in 1931. He was a marshal and law clerk
Law clerk
A law clerk or a judicial clerk is a person who provides assistance to a judge in researching issues before the court and in writing opinions. Law clerks are not court clerks or courtroom deputies, who are administrative staff for the court. Most law clerks are recent law school graduates who...
to the Montana Supreme Court
Montana Supreme Court
The Montana Supreme Court is the highest court of the Montana state court system in the U.S. state of Montana. It is established and its powers defined by Article VII of the 1972 Montana Constitution...
from 1931 to 1933. He was in private practice in Cut Bank, Montana
Cut Bank, Montana
Cut Bank is a city in and the county seat of Glacier County, Montana, United States located just east-south-east of the "cut bank" geographical feature which formed canyon-like along the eponymously named Cut Bank Creek river...
from 1933 to 1935, and in Missoula, Montana
Missoula, Montana
Missoula is a city located in western Montana and is the county seat of Missoula County. The 2010 Census put the population of Missoula at 66,788 and the population of Missoula County at 109,299. Missoula is the principal city of the Missoula Metropolitan Area...
from 1935 to 1942. He was an Instructor, University of Montana Law School from 1937 to 1942, and was then chief attorney of Montana's Office of Price Administration from 1942 to 1943. He was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, in Aviation Combat Information during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, from 1943 to 1945. He returned to private practice in Missoula from 1945 to 1966, also continuing to teach at the University of Montana Law School from 1946 to 1966.
On February 16, 1966, Smith was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Montana
United States District Court for the District of Montana
The United States District Court for the District of Montana is the United States District Court whose jurisdiction is the state of Montana...
vacated by William D. Murray
William D. Murray
William D. "Bill" Murray was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at University of Delaware from 1940 to 1942 and from 1946 to 1950 and at Duke University from 1951 to 1965, compiling a career college football record of 142–67–11...
. Smith was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on March 25, 1966, and received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge of the District from 1968 to 1978, assuming senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on May 12, 1979. He served in that capacity until his death.
The Russell Smith Courthouse in Missoula is named for him.