He began his career as an Assistant Force Judge Advocate in Norfolk, Virginia and then served as a Senior Trial Defense Counsel for two years in Philadelphia, representing Navy and Marine personnel in various matters.

From 2002 to 2014, he served on the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas in Northampton County, handling both civil and criminal matters.

[2][3] Smith ran for Congress as a conservative Republican in 1996, seeking to represent Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district.

[7] On March 13, 2014 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed a motion to invoke cloture on the nomination.

[3] In August 2017, Smith upheld a Boyertown Area School District policy guaranteeing transgender students use of their preferred locker room.