Judge Jared Smith joined the Sixth District Court of Appeal on January 1, 2023, following his appointment by Governor Ron DeSantis.
In 1996, Judge Smith graduated with his Bachelor of Business Administration with a degree in accounting, summa cum laude, from Fort Hays State University. In 2000, he graduated third in his class (tied with his wife) from Washburn University School of Law, magna cum laude. Immediately following law school, from 2000 to 2002, Judge Smith clerked for the Honorable Justice Edward J. Larson of the Kansas Supreme Court.
Judge Smith had the honor of serving from 2002 to 2006 in the U.S. Air Force as part of the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG). Judge Smith joined the Air Force in response to a call to serve his country shortly after 9/11. While assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Judge Smith was the Chief of Legal Assistance, helping manage the legal assistance needs of several thousand active duty and retired service members in the local area. Judge Smith also served as the Chief of Claims, and Chief of Adverse Actions. He obtained his certification under Article 27 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice as a U.S. Air Force Military Trial and Defense Counsel. During his military service, Judge Smith was appointed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney to prosecute civilian crimes in the Middle District of Florida and the Western District of Texas.
After his service in the Air Force, Judge Smith practiced at a Florida state-wide law firm. There he represented contractors and homeowners involved in lien and contract disputes. He also handled product liability, retail hospitality and other construction cases involving significant personal injuries and/or property damage, as well as other commercial litigation and banking and finance matters. In 2014, Judge Smith obtained his board certification in construction law by the Florida Bar, a certification he held until assuming his position on the bench. Also in 2014, he received the Heroes at Work Award for community impact as a veteran by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
In 2017, Judge Smith was appointed to the county bench by Governor Rick Scott, and he was elected in 2018 by Hillsborough voters in a contested election. Judge Smith served in county civil court, county criminal court, and domestic violence court. In 2019, Judge Smith was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the circuit bench where he served in the Unified Family Division. In 2022, he was appointed by Governor DeSantis to the 6th District Court of Appeal.
Judge Smith is a past president of the Stann Givens Family Law Inn of Court. He has presided over several middle school mock trials, and he appreciates the opportunity to mentor young students through the process.
Judge Smith is married with four children, and he enjoys spending time with his family.
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