As attorney, judge, arbitrator and award-winning writer, Judge Smith enjoyed a long and distinguished career. In 1981 he presided over the first civil jury trial to be televised nationally in the libel case of Carol Burnett v the National Enquirer. In 1979, he served as the judge in a death penalty trial without a jury; Smith was the only judge out of 161 judges who was acceptable to both the prosecution and the defense attorneys who placed enormous trust in him. As supervising Judge of the East District Court in 1986-1987, Smith devised and implemented procedures and principles (a no continuance policy) that significantly reduced court case backlogs and kept court calendars current. Smith served a Special Master in a judicial disciplinary case in 1972.
Judge Smith was born to Jack and Alys Smith in New York City on March 20, 1933. In 1941 the family moved to Los Angeles where Judge Smith’s father became Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills. Attending Midland School from to 1948 to 1951 in Los Olivos, California was a life-charging experience for Judge Smith. Midland Head Master Paul Squibb’s students led Spartan lives; Squibb’s philosophy stressed needs over wants and built up students’ self-reliance. After graduation from Berkeley in 1955 where he was a member of Alpha Delta Phi, Judge Smith served as a US Army Medic from 1955-1957. In 1960, Judge Smith graduated from Loyola Law School. He was a member of Loyola’s Moot Court Team that was Regional Finalist in the National Moot Court Competition. After being admitted to the bar in 1961, Smith was a Deputy City Attorney (1961-1962) for the City of Los Angeles. Active as a volunteer in the Republican Party since 1957, Smith ran for Congress unsuccessfully in the 59th District in 1962. He also served as President of the Sunset Young Republicans in1963. In January of 1963, he joined the law firm of Getz, Aikers, Manning and Murphy and specialized in business litigation. Governor Ronald Reagan appointed Smith as a Judge to the newly created Alhambra Municipal Court in 1967. In 1972, Smith was elevated to the Los Angeles Superior Court. He also served as President of the San Gabriel Valley Disabled American Veterans charity in 1972. Judge Smith retired from Superior Court in 1988, and then served as a private judge in arbitration and mediations (conflict resolution) for the next 13 years. As arbitrator, Smith presided over more than 3,500 case including mediations, arbitrations, mini trials, court trails, and orders of reference. As Special Master, Judge Smith presided over mediations that resulted in settlements of 200 claimants in the Baldwin Hills brush fire litigation (1989-1990), the HOA in the Diamond Bar Tennis Club construction defect case (1994), and 150 claimants who suffered damage in the Northridge Earthquake (1997). He also served as Discovery Referee in the Lockheed toxic tort cases (1995).
Beginning in 2001, Judge Smith decided to devote his time to writing. He produced two novels (The Magistrates and Murder at The Rose Bowl) as well as a practical handbook on personal finance. Most of the cases in his novels are based on real cases that Smith heard. His short handbook on personal finance is based on his own investing experience over many years. Judge Smith’s first novel, The Magistrates, won First Place in a contest among 750 contestants. Judge Smith’s Memoir, Undeterred: Memoirs of an Unusual Magistrate, was published in 2013.
His wife, Betty Denny Smith, whom he married he 1964, survives Judge Smith. As a prominent advocate for animal right, Mrs. Smith was head of the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, 1976-1982, and successfully lobbied the California Legislature to mandate humane euthanasia for animals. She was a pioneer in promoting low-cost spay and neuter clinics. Judge Smith is also survived by his daughter Carla Smith Holtmeier, son Bruce Smith; by grand-daughters Laura Holtmeier and Sidney Smith; and by sister-in-law Linda Smith.
Judge Smith’s brother, David Smith, preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be held February 2, 2019 1100 am at Pierce Brothers Turner & Stevens Mortuary, San Gabriel, California. All Saints Anglican Church Prescott, Arizona, Rev Canon Walter Crites (Rector Emeritus) will conduct the services. Judge Robert (Bob) Dukes and Don Blackburn from Prescott, Arizona will speak. Arrangements handled by Pierce Brothers Turner & Stevens Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St, Prescott, AZ, 86301 (928) 445 3122 (sharlot.org/donate-now)
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