Lavenski R. "Vence" Smith (born October 31, 1958) is an American lawyer who has served as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit since 2002, serving as chief judge from 2017 to 2024.

[2] Before joining the federal bench, Smith worked in both private practice and public service.

He was in private practice in Arkansas from 1985 to 1987, From 1987 to 1991, Smith was a staff attorney at Ozark Legal Services.

[2] On September 4, 2001, he was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit by President George W. Bush.

In October 2022, Smith was appointed by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to serve as the newest chair of the Judicial Conference's executive committee.