Who appointed Lavenski R. Smith?

President George W. Bush appointed Lavenski R. Smith to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in 2002.

Was Lavenski R. Smith appointed by a Democrat or a Republican?

Lavenski R. Smith was appointed by President George W. Bush, a Republican. JudicialFinder records the appointing president's party, not a judge's own politics.

What was Lavenski R. Smith's confirmation vote?

Lavenski R. Smith was confirmed by voice vote on July 15, 2002. No senator-by-senator tally was recorded.

Eighth Circuit / Appointed 2002 / Active

Lavenski R. Smith

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

Appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002 and confirmed by voice vote, Lavenski R. Smith is a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He earned a law degree from University of Arkansas School of Law in 1987. Sources ↓

Born: 1958 · age 68
Appointed by: George W. Bush, 2002
Confirmed: by voice vote
Education: University of Arkansas 1981 · University of Arkansas Law 1987
Succeeded: Richard Sheppard Arnold

Federal judicial service

Year	Court	Appointed by	Vote
2002	Eighth Circuit succeeded Richard Sheppard Arnold	G.W. Bush (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

University of Arkansas	B.A.	1981
University of Arkansas School of Law	J.D.	1987

Questions & answers

Who appointed Lavenski R. Smith?: President George W. Bush appointed Lavenski R. Smith to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in 2002.
Was Lavenski R. Smith appointed by a Democrat or a Republican?: Lavenski R. Smith was appointed by President George W. Bush, a Republican. JudicialFinder records the appointing president's party, not a judge's own politics.
What was Lavenski R. Smith's confirmation vote?: Lavenski R. Smith was confirmed by voice vote on July 15, 2002. No senator-by-senator tally was recorded.
Which court is Lavenski R. Smith on?: Lavenski R. Smith is a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Sources

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