EL SEGUNDO — Judge Milan D. Smith has wrestled with the public's preconceptions about his political views since he was appointed to the bench in 2006.
Some conservatives worried that as a moderate Republican he wouldn't provide enough balance to the liberal-leaning 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Liberals looked to his family - a Mormon clan that produced conservative political scions in Arizona and Oregon - and some feared these ties would influence his rulings... (continued)