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A resolution honoring the life of Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Philip E. Smith.
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WHEREAS, Judge Philip E. Smith passed away on September 4, 2022 at the age of 62; and
WHEREAS, Judge Smith was a graduate of Tennessee State University, Class of 1984; and
WHEREAS, he graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in May of 1988, and soon after went to work as an Assistant District Attorney for the Office of the District Attorney General for the 20th Judicial District; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, Judge Smith went into private practice and joined the Norman Law Offices, remaining there until 2001; and
WHEREAS, in March of 2001, Judge Smith partnered with Philip Robinson and Teresa Webb Oglesby and began their own law practice, focusing on family law matters including divorce, child support matters, custody and visitation matters, antenuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, grandparent visitation cases, and domestic mediation; and
WHEREAS, in January of 2009, Judge Smith became board certified as a Family Law Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy; and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 2009, former Governor Phil Bredesen appointed Judge Smith to the Fourth Circuit Court of Davidson County, and was reelected in 2010, 2014, and August of 2022; and
WHEREAS, Judge Smith was also a special judge for the Davidson County 2nd Circuit Court, 5th Circuit Court, Probate Court, and served as a special referee for the Davidson County Juvenile Court; and
WHEREAS, Judge Smith’s work and dedication was recognized throughout his career with many honors including being listed in “Best Lawyers in America” in the Family Law category in 2007 and 2008, and “Mid-South Super Lawyers” in the Family Law category in 2008. In 2015, The Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee honored him with a “Good Guys Award” for his work on domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, Judge Smith was a member of the Nashville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, and the American Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, on September 1, 2022, Judge Smith was sworn in for his new term and assumed the role of presiding judge of the 20th Judicial District; and
WHEREAS, Judge Smith was respected throughout the community and known as an honorable and compassionate judge who exuded kindness; and
WHEREAS, Judge Smith loved living on Ronnie Road in South Madison’s Haven Acres with his wife of 39 years, Pam Smith; and
WHEREAS, he will be fondly remembered for his love of University of Tennessee football and could often be heard saying, “It’s football time in Tennessee, Go Vols!”; and
WHEREAS, Judge Smith will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and colleagues; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council honors the life of Judge Philip Smith and recognizes his many years of hard work and dedication to the people of Nashville and Davidson County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as honoring the life of Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Philip E. Smith.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.