Born in Gainesville, Georgia, Smith served in the United States Army during World War II, as a captain.
He was an assistant solicitor general of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit of Georgia from 1951 to 1961.
[1] On August 24, 1965, Smith was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, vacated by Judge William Boyd Sloan.
Smith was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 10, 1965, and received his commission the same day.
Smith then returned to private practice in Atlanta, Georgia.