Otis M. Smith

Otis M. Smith
Otis M. Smith
214th Regent of the University of Michigan
	In office; March 7, 1967 – 1970
Preceded by	Allan R. Sorenson
78th Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
	In office; 1961 – December 31, 1966
Appointed by	John Swainson
Preceded by	Talbot Smith
Succeeded by	Thomas E. Brennan
36th Michigan Auditor General
	In office; October 21, 1959 – October 9, 1961
Preceded by	William R. Hart (acting)
Succeeded by	William A. Burgett (acting)
Personal details
Born	Otis Milton Smith; February 20, 1922; Memphis, Tennessee
Died	June 29, 1994 (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]

Sources

Endnotes

The Political Graveyard: Smith, Otis Milton
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.
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2008-03-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
"Otis Smith". Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
Stetson, Damon (8 November 1962). "Romney Victory Held Personal As Running-Mates Are Beaten". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2021.

Political offices
Preceded by William R. Hart	Michigan Auditor General 1959–1961	Succeeded by William A. Burgett

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[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.