---
title: "N. Randy Smith | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/n-randy-smith"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# N. Randy Smith

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · U.S. Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- State: National federal courts
- Role: U.S. Circuit Judge
- Service status: senior
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Senior Judge, Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2018-present
- Civil Litigator, Partner (since 1984), Merrill & Merrill, Pocatello, ID, 1982-1995
- Judge, Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2007-2018
- Previous role: Judge, Ninth Circuit (March 19, 2007 – August 11, 2018)
- Judge, Idaho District Court, Sixth Judicial District, ID, 1995-2007
- Earlier judicial service: Judge, Idaho District Court, Sixth Judicial District (1995–2007)
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

### Education

- Brigham Young University-Provo — J.D. (1977)
- J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University — J.D. (1977)
- Brigham Young University-Provo — B.A. (1974)
- Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah — B.S. (1974)

### Additional information

- Assumed senior status: August 11, 2018
- adj-prof, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, 1984-2018
- Nominated: January 16, 2007, to fill the seat vacated by Thomas G. Nelson
- Confirmed: February 15, 2007, by a unanimous Senate vote of 94–0
- Prior nomination: December 16, 2005, to a California seat vacated by Stephen S. Trott; stalled due to opposition from California senators
- Chairman, Idaho Republican Party, ID, 1993-1994
- adj-prof, Boise State University, Boise, ID, 1979-1981
- Practitioner, J.R. Simplot Company, 1977-1981
- held the role of associate and assistant general counsel for J.R. Simplot Company (1977–1981)
- Date of birth: 1949-08-11
- Chambers: Pocatello, Idaho
- Birth place: Logan, UT

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### appellate oral argument

Scope: courtwide

In federal courts of appeals, oral argument is allowed unless a three-judge panel unanimously finds one of Rule 34's specified grounds for dispensing with it; the clerk provides the date, time, place, and time allocation.

Evidence excerpt: Oral argument must be allowed in every case unless a panel of three judges who have examined the briefs and record unanimously agrees that oral argument is unnecessary

[Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1392521)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1392521)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1392521)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/3016/norman-randy-smith/)
- [Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/3016/norman-randy-smith/)
- [Wikidata: N. Randy Smith](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10337408)

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