Rebecca Beach Smith

Born 1949 in Hopewell, VA

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
Nominated by George H.W. Bush on August 4, 1989, to a seat vacated by D. Dortch Warriner. Confirmed by the Senate on October 24, 1989, and received commission on October 25, 1989. Served as chief judge, 2011-present.

U.S. Magistrate, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 1985-1989

Education:
College of William and Mary, B.A., 1971
University of Virginia, M.A., 1973
William and Mary Law School, J.D., 1979

Professional Career:
Planning analyst, Enviro-Med, Inc., Washington, D.C., and La Jolla, California, 1973-74
Research associate, National Academy of Science, Institute of Medicine, Washington, D.C., 1974-1977
Law clerk in private practice, Norfolk, Virginia, 1978
Law clerk, Hon. J. Calvitt Clarke, Jr., U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 1979-1980
Private practice, Norfolk, Virginia, 1980-1985

Judge

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

1989 - Current

Served as chief judge, 2011-present.

U.S. Magistrate Judge

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

1985 - 1989

Attorney

Private practice, Norfolk, Virginia

1980 - 1985

Law clerk

Hon. J. Calvitt Clarke, Jr., U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

1979 - 1980

Law clerk

Private practice, Norfolk, Virginia

1978

Research associate

National Academy of Science, Institute of Medicine, Washington, D.C.

1974 - 1977

Planning analyst

Enviro-Med, Inc., Washington, D.C., and La Jolla, California

1973 - 1974

William & Mary Marshall-Wythe School of Law

J.D. (1979)

University of Virginia

M.A. (1973)

College of William and Mary

B.A. (1971)