Case Title: In re Retirement of Judge Kim M. Smith (Per Curiam)

Citation: 2013 Ark. 14

Docket Number: 

State: arkansas

Court: Arkansas Supreme Court

Date: 2013-01-17T00:00:00Z

Document:
Cite as 2013 Ark. 14 SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS IN RE THE RETIREMENT OF JUDGE KIM M. SMITH Opinion Delivered January 17, 2013 PER CURIAM Judge Kim M. Smith served with distinction as circuit judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit from January 1, 1987, through December 31, 2012. During his tenure, he participated in the transition of the Arkansas judicial system in the wake of the passage of Amendment 80 to the Arkansas Constitution. One of its consequences was the establishment of the administrative-judge role, and he served for many years as the administrative judge for the Fourth Circuit and assisted this court in the evolving development of the position. Prior to assuming his circuit court duties, Judge Smith worked in the Fourth Circuit Prosecuting Attorney’s office, first as a deputy prosecutor, then as the prosecuting attorney for eight years. He was elected by the citizens of Washington and Madison Counties to serve as an elected official for a total of 34 years. First and foremost, he was a trial judge. He is held in high esteem by his fellow judges, as well as by the lawyers who practiced in his court, as evidenced by his receipt in 1998 of the Outstanding Trial Judge Award by the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. His fellow judges recognized his leadership by selecting him as the president of the Arkansas Judicial Council in 2006. Recognizing his accomplishments and applauding his efforts, the Supreme Court extends its best wishes to Judge Kim Smith on the occasion of his retirement.