Otis M. Smith

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Otis M. Smith
Otis M. Smith.png
214th Regent of the University of Michigan
In office
March 7, 1967 – 1970
Preceded byAllan R. Sorenson
78th Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
In office
1961 – December 31, 1966
Appointed byJohn Swainson
Preceded byTalbot Smith
Succeeded byThomas E. Brennan
36th Michigan Auditor General
In office
October 21, 1959 – October 9, 1961
GovernorG. Mennen Williams
John Swainson
Preceded byWilliam R. Hart (acting)
Succeeded byWilliam A. Burgett (acting)
Personal details
Born
Otis Milton Smith

(1922-02-20)February 20, 1922
Memphis, Tennessee
DiedJune 29, 1994(1994-06-29) (aged 72)
Detroit

Otis Milton Smith (1922–1994) was the first African American justice on the Michigan Supreme Court and the General Counsel for General Motors.[1]

Smith graduated from law school at The Catholic University of America in 1950, where he was a member of the first volume of the school's Law Review.[2]

He then went to Flint, Michigan, where he engaged in private practice until 1957. At that time he was appointed to the Michigan Public Service Commission.[3]

From 1959 until 1961 Smith served as Michigan Auditor General.

He was appointed a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court in 1961 by Governor John Swainson[4] He retained his seat in the 1962 election[5] but lost re-election in 1966, and was then hired by General Motors. He would rise to become vice-president and General Counsel. In 1968, Smith served as a presidential elector. In 1983, his portrait was dedicated at the Michigan Supreme Court.[6] A portrait also hangs in the admissions of The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.[7]

A scholarship in his name is administered by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. It is given to a single mother, and can be used for tuition at Wayne State University, any campus of the University of Michigan, or the law school at The Catholic University of America.[8]

See also[]

Sources[]

Endnotes[]

  1. ^ The Political Graveyard: Smith, Otis Milton
  2. ^ He was the co-author of Illegal Delay and Confessions in State and Federal Courts - A Civilized Standard, 1 Cath. U. L. Rev. 1 (1950). The Catholic University Law Review gives an annual award in his honor to a staff member for excellence in contributing to the Law Review.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2008-03-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Otis Smith". Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  5. ^ Stetson, Damon (8 November 1962). "Romney Victory Held Personal As Running-Mates Are Beaten". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ [2]
  8. ^ [3]
Political offices
Preceded by
 Michigan Auditor General
1959–1961 		Succeeded by
William A. Burgett
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