House Member

I have lived in Arizona since 1993 with my wife, Rita J. Smith. We have been married for 38 years and reside in Carefree. My wife and I are Catholic and we attend Our Lady of Joy Parish. Originally, I was born in Charleston, West Virginia. My extended family resides in Nashville and Charleston. I have been a private practice attorney with Smith Law Firm since 1983. I ran for the Arizona Senate in 1998, 2000, and 2002. I was a delegate for Bush-Cheney in 2004. A few of my interests include golf, bicycling, working out, and my two Dachshunds, Shotzye and Kaiser.

I graduated from the University of Baltimore in 1972, and have been licensed to practice in Colorado and Maryland since 1972, and in Arizona from 1983. I am a member of the United States Supreme Court; the District Courts for the State of Maryland, Colorado, and Arizona; the 9th Circuit, 10th Circuit and 11th Circuit, and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. I have a Master's Degree from the University of Nevada, and have a prospective second Master's Degree upon completion of my thesis. I have been on the Scottsdale Bar Association Board of Directors for four terms. I have served as Secretary, providing minutes for the monthly meetings. I have served as Vice President and President, and arranged a number of guest speakers who gave a range of perspectives on current topics.

Born: Charleston, West Virginia

Education:
University of Baltimore, J.D., 1972
University of Maryland, Masters Program, 1967
University of Charleston, B.A., 1967
University of Nevada-Reno; Master of Judicial Studies, 1995
Second Master of Judicial Studies, (thesis in preparation)

Admitted to Practice Law:
State of Arizona - 1983
State of Maryland - 1972
State of Colorado - 1972

Academic Achievements:
Who’s Who in American Colleges & Universities
Nu Beta Epsilon Scholastic Award - 1971
Highest Scholastic Average - University of Baltimore, 1971
Moot Court participant
Officer of Nu Beta Epsilon Legal Fraternity
Officer in Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Memberships:
American Bar Association
Arizona Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
American Judicature Society
National Association of Trial Lawyers
Maricopa County Bar Association
Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
American Trial Lawyers Association
Scottsdale Bar Association; Board of Directors – President, 2003-2004

Teaching Experience:
Instructor in Constitutional Law at the Rocky Mountain Polygraph Institute, Denver, CO
Instructor in Civil and Criminal Law, Red Rocks Community College, Denver, Colorado

Judicial Experience:
Presiding Judge for Peoria Municipal Court 1987-1994
Pro Tem for Town of Wickenburg 1985-1986
Graduate of the Special Court for Judges
National Judicial College
Instructor for New Judges for the Arizona Judges School, 1989
Presiding Judge for Cave Creek Municipal Court 1995-1998
Instructor for National Judicial College 1999 (Reel Justice)

Political Activities:
Co-Chairman of Reagan for Reagan for President, Jefferson County, Colorado
President of South Jefferson County, Colorado Republican Party
Precinct Committeeman - Republican Party in Colorado
Chairman of the Committee of Maricopans Against the Charter (MAC) 1996
Candidate for U.S. Congress -- Sixth District 1994, in Republican Primary
Chairman of Supporters of Michael New Committee - 1996
Candidate for State Senate 1998, 2000 & 2002
Precinct Committee District 28, 1995 – 2002
Precinct Committee District 7, 2002 – present
Representative from District 7, 2005 - present
Vice Chairman, Judiciary Committee, 2005 – present

Outside Activities:
Jogging, physical fitness activities, reading and studying Spanish
Co-starred in the movie Dead Girls Don’t Tango with Karen Black and Joe Campanella
Appeared in television movie Legends of the West with Jack Palance
Radio Talk Show Host - KXAM 1310, 1994-2000
Judge of Mom U.S.A. Show, 1996

Federal Courts Admissions:
United States Supreme Court
United States District Court - Maryland
United States District Court - Colorado
United States District Court - Arizona
Member of the 4th Circuit, 9th Circuit and 10th Circuit Court

Honors:
Who’s Who in the World
Who’s Who in America
Who’s Who in American Law
Who’s Who in State of Colorado
Who’s Who in State of Arizona
Fellow Arizona Bar Association
American Biographical Institute’s 1000 Most Intriguing People in America 2002

Civic and Bar Activities:
Vice Chairman of American Bar Association, Juvenile Division, 1982
Carefree Rolling Hills Homeowners Board of Directors 1984-1985
Carefree Rolling Hills Homeowners, President 1985-1986
Constitution Commemoration Committee 1996 – present; Current President
Board of Directors, Scottsdale Bar Association, 1996--present
Secretary, Vice President, and President of Scottsdale Bar Association

Publications:
Reel Justice, the Movies View of the American Courtroom 1995,
UMI, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106

Readings on Twelve Angry Men - by Russ Munyan, Book Editor
Chapter 2, part 4.

Twelve Angry Men Presents an Idealized View of the Jury System
by David Burnell Smith

Employment History:
Gulf Oil Corporation, 1967-1972
Chosen as sales representative of the year for Eastern Region for Gulf Corporation, 1971

Attorney in private practice from 1972 to present:
1709 West Littleton Boulevard, Littleton, Colorado
5704 West Palmaire, Glendale, Arizona
16032 North 32nd Street, Phoenix, Arizona
4310 North 75th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona

Military experience:
U.S. Coast Guard Reserve
Member of American Legion, Navy League, Marine Corps League,
Veterans of Foreign Wars

Other memberships:
Elks
Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree Mason
El Jebel Shrine