Monday, February 9, 2026
John W. Smith’s career is a testament to integrity, dedication, and service to the people of North Carolina. Raised on a farm in Moore County, Smith graduated from Davidson College and Wake Forest Law School before serving as a commissioned officer in the US Army, attached to the Staff Judge Advocate General’s Criminal Defense Office at Fort Lee, Virginia. Upon completing his military service, he began practicing law in Raleigh, but his commitment to public service soon led him to the Fifth Prosecutorial District, where he served 14 years as an assistant district attorney.
In 1988, Smith was elected district court judge, a position he held for 16 years, including five years as chief district court judge. During this time, he pioneered the first pilot drug courts and family courts in New Hanover and Pender Counties, innovations that transformed the delivery of justice in those communities. His leadership extended beyond the bench as president of the Conference of District Court Judges and through service on legislative committees and judicial commissions dedicated to improving the administration of justice.
In 2005, Smith was appointed special superior court judge, and in 2009, Chief Justice Sarah Parker tapped him to lead the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts during one of the most challenging financial periods in state history. His steady leadership, collaborative approach, and unwavering commitment to fairness enabled the court system to navigate severe budget constraints while preserving essential functions and constitutional obligations. After retiring as AOC director in 2015, Smith continued to serve as an emergency superior court judge, presiding in 82 of North Carolina’s 100 counties.
Throughout his career, Smith has been a mentor and role model to countless lawyers and judges. He has taught business law at Cape Fear Community College, led continuing education programs for prosecutors and judges at the UNC School of Government, and spoken to civic groups to strengthen public confidence in the legal system. His scholarship includes research on the history of North Carolina’s judiciary, and his presentations have brought to life the stories of judges who shaped the state’s courts.
Smith’s contributions have earned him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine and the Amicus Curiae Award from the Supreme Court of North Carolina, but those honors only hint at his impact. Colleagues describe him as unfailingly courteous, deeply knowledgeable, and committed to justice for all. His integrity is unassailable; his leadership, transformative. As one longtime friend observed, “If John Smith’s mother ever appeared before him in a courtroom, I believe she would receive a fair trial.” That simple statement captures the essence of a man whose life’s work has strengthened the rule of law and inspired confidence in the judicial system.
The North Carolina State Bar is proud to recognize Judge John W. Smith with the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award—a fitting tribute to a career defined by service, scholarship, and the highest ideals of the legal profession.
Filed Under: General News
