Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia in 1941 and served as a lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II, from 1941 to 1946.
He received a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1947 and entered private practice in Washington, D.C. from 1947 to 1961.
[1] Smith was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on June 30, 1978, to a seat on the United States Court of Claims vacated by Judge Byron George Skelton.
His service was terminated on October 1, 1982, due to reassignment to the Federal Circuit.
[1] Smith was reassigned by operation of law on October 1, 1982, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, to a new seat authorized by 96 Stat.