Who appointed Jerry Edwin Smith?

President Ronald Reagan appointed Jerry Edwin Smith to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in 1987.

Was Jerry Edwin Smith appointed by a Democrat or a Republican?

Jerry Edwin Smith was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, a Republican. JudicialFinder records the appointing president's party, not a judge's own politics.

What was Jerry Edwin Smith's confirmation vote?

Jerry Edwin Smith was confirmed by voice vote on December 19, 1987. No senator-by-senator tally was recorded.

Fifth Circuit / Appointed 1987 / Active

Jerry Edwin Smith

Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 and confirmed by voice vote, Jerry Edwin Smith is a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He earned a law degree from Yale Law School in 1972. Sources ↓

Born: 1946 · age 80
Appointed by: Ronald Reagan, 1987
Confirmed: by voice vote
Education: Yale 1969 · Yale Law School 1972

Federal judicial service

Year	Court	Appointed by	Vote
1987	Fifth Circuit	Reagan (R)	Voice vote

Party letters show the appointing president’s party, not the judge’s own. A voice vote means the chamber approved aloud. No senator-by-senator tally is recorded.

Confirmation vote

Voice vote

The Senate approved this confirmation aloud, with no senator-by-senator tally recorded. Recorded roll-call votes begin in 1989.

Education

Yale University	B.A.	1969
Yale Law School	J.D.	1972

Questions & answers

Who appointed Jerry Edwin Smith?: President Ronald Reagan appointed Jerry Edwin Smith to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in 1987.
Was Jerry Edwin Smith appointed by a Democrat or a Republican?: Jerry Edwin Smith was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, a Republican. JudicialFinder records the appointing president's party, not a judge's own politics.
What was Jerry Edwin Smith's confirmation vote?: Jerry Edwin Smith was confirmed by voice vote on December 19, 1987. No senator-by-senator tally was recorded.
Which court is Jerry Edwin Smith on?: Jerry Edwin Smith is a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Sources

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38 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Data as of 2026-08-10. Informational only; verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).