Keith S. Smith

Judicial Candidate Bio: Keith S. Smith

Firm/Organization:

Mecklenburg County Government-Legal Department (Office of County Attorney)

Practice Area(s):

Juvenile Litigation (child maltreatment and termination of parental rights), Criminal Litigation (felonies and misdemeanors), Appellate Litigation

Education:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BS
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, MS
North Carolina Central University Albert Turner School of Law, JD

Bar and Court Admissions:

North Carolina State Bar, Federal-Western District of North Carolina, 2001

Professional Involvement:

Mecklenburg County Bar; Leary Bar; Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center's Multidisciplinary Team; Legal Trainer Youth and Family Services; Presenter-Atrium Health Child Maltreatment/Juvenile Law; Adjunct Professor of Criminal Law, Business Law; Business Ethics; Criminal Courts, Social Problems and Constitutional Law (Catawba College and Johnson C. Smith University)

Civic and Community Involvement:

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Activities League Board of Directors; Boys to Men Foundation Mentoring Program, Beauty for Ashes Domestic Violence Advocacy Program, Advisor; Movement of Youth Mentoring Program; Highland Renaissance Academy Volunteer; Former Member of Mecklenburg County Human Services Board; Former Board Member of Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Workforce Development Board and Former Chair of Youth Advisory Board.

Speaking Engagements:

UNC at Charlotte Voter Engagement; Clinton College Beacon Speaker Series; North Carolina Central Purple Table Talk for J.E.W.E.L.S. Criminal Justice Organization; Camp Love Mentoring Program; Spirit of Ujima Youth Mentoring Program; Cochrane Middle; James Martin Middle School; Marie G. Davis; Garinger High School; Commonwealth Charter High School; Turning Point High School; Northridge Middle School; Piedmont Correctional Institution; Voter Engagement Podcast Red Tape Series; MLK Speaker on Relevance of Service-Social Organizations; Legal Implications of Hazing (Livingstone College); Legal Implications of Hazing (Johnson C. Smith University)

Please describe why you would be the best candidate for the open judicial position:

I have served North Carolina for over 30 years in various roles within the legal community. Early in my career as an Adult Probation and Parole Officer I realized my passion to help others in a way that is both fair and equitable while reinforcing accountability. I later applied this same philosophy in my roles as an Assistant DA and currently as a Senior Associate County Attorney with Mecklenburg County where I have worked tirelessly for 18 years at the trial and appellate level to keep children safe, promote permanence for children, and to encourage parental stability. I adhere to the established rule of law while considering all matters in an impartial manner. I value the work ethic and core principles instilled in me by my parents who were of humble beginnings, as they stressed the importance of a strong education, but most importantly, treating people with respect and dignity.