Smith is a graduate of Kauai High School[2][3] and received a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania in 2003 and a Juris Doctor magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 2006.

[4] From 2006 to 2007, Smith served as a law clerk to Judge Guido Calabresi of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and for Justice David Souter of the Supreme Court of the United States from 2007 to 2008.

President Biden nominated Smith to the seat to be vacated by Judge John Michael Seabright, who subsequently assumed senior status on January 30, 2024.

[6] His nomination was supported by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

[9] On November 29, 2023, the United States Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 57–42 vote.