Talbot Smith

For the South Australian lawyer, journalist and broadcaster, see S. Talbot Smith.

Talbot Smith (October 11, 1899 – December 21, 1978) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Talbot Smith
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
In office October 31, 1971 – December 21, 1978
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
In office October 5, 1961 – October 31, 1971
Appointed by	John F. Kennedy
Preceded by	Seat established by 75 Stat. 80
Succeeded by	Charles Wycliffe Joiner
Personal details
Born	Talbot Smith (1899-10-11)October 11, 1899 Fayette, Missouri
Died	December 21, 1978(1978-12-21) (aged 79)
Education	United States Naval Academy (B.S.) Naval Postgraduate School (M.S.) University of Michigan Law School (J.D.)

Education and career

Born in Fayette, Missouri, Smith received a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1920. He received a Master of Science from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1928. He received a Juris Doctor from University of Michigan Law School in 1934. He was in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant from 1917 to 1931. He was an engineer with the Atlantic Refining Company in 1931. He was in private practice of law in Detroit, Michigan from 1934 to 1937. He was a professor of law at the University of Missouri from 1937 to 1941. He was an attorney with the Office of Price Administration from 1941 to 1944. He was in private practice in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1944 to 1945. He was a professor at the University of California, Berkeley from 1945 to 1946. He was in private practice in Ann Arbor from 1947 to 1955. He was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Michigan from 1955 to 1961.^[1]

After attending law school at the University of Michigan Law School, he established a legal practice in Detroit and Ann Arbor. Alongside his practice, he enriched legal education as a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Missouri. During World War II, he served with the Office of Price Administration, overseeing civil litigation and acting as a hearing administrator with notable acumen.^[2]

In 1955, Smith was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court, securing election in 1956 and serving until 1961. His contributions extended beyond the bench, as he wrote for various legal periodicals and authored a volume in the Career Book Series titled “Lawyer” in 1961. Smith’s judicial opinions were marked by clarity and a touch of wry humor, as evidenced in a child neglect case where he wrote, “All of this is straight from outer space. It is pure fantasy. It is unrelated to life on this earth. It requires no treatise on child development to tell us that a child 2 years 8 months of age is as inquisitive as a hornet and as slippery as an eel .” ^{[3] [4]}

Wallace Riley, one of Smith’s former law clerks, described him as possessing “the infinite patience of a great teacher, the forgiveness of a minister, the sternness of a Naval officer, and the inspiration of a saint.”^[5]

In 1921, Smith wed Lola Hamlen, with whom he raised two children. Beyond his professional endeavors, he was deeply engaged in civic life, notably serving on the board of inquiry that investigated the South Michigan Prison Riot.^{[6] [7]}

Federal judicial service

Judicial portrait of Smith, 1982.

Smith received a recess appointment from President John F. Kennedy on October 5, 1961, to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, to a new seat created by 75 Stat. 80. He was nominated to the same seat by President Kennedy on January 15, 1962. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 5, 1962, and received his commission on February 9, 1962. He assumed senior status on October 31, 1971. His service was terminated on December 21, 1978, due to his death.^[1]