---
title: "Valerie L. Smith | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/valerie-l-smith-tn-court-of-appeals-judge-statewide"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Valerie L. Smith

Tennessee Court of Appeals · Court of Appeals Judge

## Profile

- Court: Tennessee Court of Appeals
- State: Tennessee
- Role: Court of Appeals Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- 2025–Present: Judge, Tennessee Court of Appeals (Western Section)
- 2016–2025: Circuit Court Judge, 30th Judicial District (Shelby County)
- She previously held the role of a Circuit Court Judge in Shelby County from 2016 to 2025
- 2000-2006- Assistant District Attorney, Shelby County District Attorney’s Office

### Education

- University of Memphis Law School 2000
- University of Memphis Undergraduate 1997

### Additional information

- Year Elected/Appointed: 2025
- 2006-2016- Nahon, Saharovich, and Trotz
- Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Division.
- Judge Smith has held leadership roles in the Tennessee Judicial Conference, including serving as its president, and participates in multiple legal and civic organizations
- Her appellate opinions receive high LTRS scores, with a lifetime rating of 89 (PASS) across three scored cases

## 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

### media coverage and recording

Scope: statewide

Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 30 allows media coverage of public judicial proceedings subject to the presiding judge's control and requires written media requests at least two business days before the proceeding unless waived.

Evidence excerpt: Requests by representatives of the media for such coverage must be made in writing to the presiding judge not less than two (2) business days before the proceeding is scheduled to begin.

[Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### recording restrictions

Scope: statewide

Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants.

Evidence excerpt: Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited.

[Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote technology

Scope: statewide

Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 55 permits teleconferencing, video conferencing, or other technology for court proceedings at the discretion of the trial or appellate court.

Evidence excerpt: The use of teleconferencing, video conferencing or other technology to conduct court proceedings or other court business remotely is permissible at the discretion of the trial or appellate court.

[Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/judges/valerie-l-smith)
- [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/judges/valerie-l-smith)
- [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/judges/valerie-l-smith)
- [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines)
- [Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings)
- [Valerie L. Smith](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/judges/valerie-l-smith)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c1debbfd57a23e78c6318aec) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines). Collected 2026-07-26.