Haslam Appoints Derek Smith to 21st Judicial District Circuit Court

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov.  Bill Haslam today announced his appointment of Deputy District Attorney Derek K. Smith to the Tennessee Circuit Court for the 21st Judicial District.

Smith will fill a vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Jeff Bivins to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Middle Section.

The 21st Judicial District includes Hickman, Lewis, Perry, and Williamson counties.

“Derek has developed valuable experience in his career with the district attorney general’s office, and he is well respected and recognized in each of the four counties,” Haslam said. “I am thankful for his willingness to serve.”

For the past 19 years, Smith has served in the Office of the District Attorney General, 21st Judicial District, beginning as an assistant district attorney before being promoted to deputy district attorney in 1999.

He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Law in Nashville and a magna cum laude graduate of Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA.

“I’m honored and humbled by the governor’s appointment.” Smith said. “I am committed to making the governor and the citizens of the 21st Judicial District proud.”

Smith was vice president of the Williamson County Task Force against Domestic Violence, where he earned a Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is also a board member of the Boys and Girls Club, and he was honorably discharged from the United States Navy Reserves in 1998.

He and his wife, Ginger, live in Franklin.