Los Angeles County (Inglewood)
Career Highlights: Appointed to the Los Angeles County Superior Court by Gov. Jerry Brown, May, 2017; commissioner, Los Angeles County Superior Court, 2015-2017; sole practitioner, Los Angeles, 2007- 2015; staff attorney, McGeorge School of Law, California Parole Advocacy Program, 2004-2007; deputy public defender, Los Angeles County, 1997-2004; associate, DeBose & DeBose, Los Angeles, 1996-1997
Law School: Walter F. George School of Law, (now Mercer University School of Law) 1996
Career Highlights: Appointed to the Los Angeles County Superior Court by Gov. Jerry Brown, May, 2017; commissioner, Los Angeles County Superior Court, 2015-2017; sole practitioner, Los Angeles, 2007- 2015; staff attorney, McGeorge School of Law, California Parole Advocacy Program, 2004-2007; deputy public defender, Los Angeles County, 1997-2004; associate, DeBose & DeBose, Los Angeles, 1996-1997
Law School: Walter F. George School of Law, (now Mercer University School of Law) 1996
INGLEWOOD — When young defendants in his juvenile courtroom say their future lies in the NBA or NFL, Judge J. Christopher Smith orders a reality check.
“‘Write me an essay on the percentage of young men or young women who go onto professional sports,’” Smith said. “What’s your backup plan?’ … That’s what I try to drill in the kids is that you have to start thinking about your future. You can’t just be in the moment and yo... (continued)
