Judge Stephen L. Smith: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Appointed By: Gov. Mark B. Dayton

Biography

The Hon. Stephen L. Smith is a judge for the 2nd Judicial District Court of Minnesota. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Mark Dayton on December 1, 2015, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Joanne M. Smith.


Smith has served as a member of the Minnesota Supreme Court Committee for Equality and Justice.


Prior to his appointment, Smith was the owner of the Law Firm of Stephen L. Smith, a practice he opened in 2001. He represented clients in employment, criminal, and civil rights cases in state and federal court. Smith supplemented his practice with service as an assistant state public defender for the Minnesota State Appellate Defender’s Office.


Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1984. He then completed a J.D. at the University of Iowa College of Law in 1987.


After graduating from law school, Smith began his legal career as a special assistant attorney general for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. He served in that capacity until 1993, at which time he entered into private practice at Sprenger & Lang. Then, in 1997, he joined Messerli & Kramer.


His memberships have included the Minnesota Employment Lawyers Association, the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, the Minnesota Association for Justice, and the Minnesota State Bar Association. He has also been involved with the Twin Cities Television Community Advisory Council, the Minnesota Advocate for Human Rights, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.


He was named Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyers (2002), and he is a recipient of the Justice Works Award from the Minnesota Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (2009).

Recent Cases by Hon. Stephen L. Smith

On May 3, 2024 an employment case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

4 Files
Filed

May 03, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Employment

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

May 03, 2024

On May 1, 2024 a consumer credit contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

4 Files
Filed

May 01, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Consumer Credit Contract

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Consumer Debt

Case Last Refreshed

May 03, 2024

On April 30, 2024 a civil other/misc. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 30, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Civil Other/Misc.

Case Last Refreshed

May 01, 2024

On April 24, 2024 a personal injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Apr 24, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Personal Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 25, 2024

On April 23, 2024 a personal injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Apr 23, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Personal Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 24, 2024

On April 23, 2024 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

4 Files
Filed

Apr 23, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 24, 2024

On April 18, 2024 a consumer credit contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

13 Files
Filed

Apr 18, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Consumer Credit Contract

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Consumer Debt

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 19, 2024

On April 18, 2024 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

4 Files
Filed

Apr 18, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 19, 2024

On April 18, 2024 an employment case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

4 Files
Filed

Apr 18, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Employment

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 19, 2024

On April 18, 2024 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

4 Files
Filed

Apr 18, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 19, 2024

On April 17, 2024 a civil other/misc. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

3 Files
Filed

Apr 17, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Civil Other/Misc.

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 17, 2024

On April 11, 2024 a replevin case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Apr 11, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Replevin

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 12, 2024

On April 10, 2024 a forfeiture case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

3 Files
Filed

Apr 10, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Forfeiture

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Forfeiture

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 11, 2024

On April 8, 2024 a consumer credit contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

8 Files
Filed

Apr 08, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Consumer Credit Contract

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Consumer Debt

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2024

On March 28, 2024 an employment case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

3 Files
Filed

Mar 28, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Employment

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 28, 2024

On March 27, 2024 a civil other/misc. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

4 Files
Filed

Mar 27, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Civil Other/Misc.

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 28, 2024

On March 27, 2024 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Mar 27, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 25, 2024

On March 26, 2024 a consumer credit contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

4 Files
Filed

Mar 26, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Consumer Credit Contract

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Consumer Debt

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2024

On March 26, 2024 a personal injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Mar 26, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Personal Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 27, 2024

On March 25, 2024 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Mar 25, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 26, 2024

On March 22, 2024 a personal injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

3 Files
Filed

Mar 22, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Personal Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 22, 2024

On March 21, 2024 an employment case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

3 Files
Filed

Mar 21, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Employment

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 22, 2024

On March 20, 2024 a personal injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

3 Files
Filed

Mar 20, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Personal Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2024

On March 11, 2024 a civil other/misc. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. Judge Smith, Stephen L. presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Mar 11, 2024

Judge

Hon. Smith, Stephen L. Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Smith, Stephen L.

Court

District

County

Ramsey County, MN

Category

Civil Other/Misc.

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 13, 2024

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