Magistrate Derek Smith

Derek Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pepperdine University and graduated from Vanderbilt Law School. He served as a Deputy District Attorney General for the 21st Judicial District for almost twenty years. Derek’s experience in the District Attorney’s office included DUI prosecution, Drug Task Force prosecution, and a member of the Tennessee Child Fatality Team and Child Protection Investigation Team. Smith has handled extensive litigation in thousands of criminal cases.

In 2011, Smith was appointed by Governor Bill Haslam as Circuit Court Judge and Chancellor for the 21st Judicial District. Currently, he is in the private practice in the law firm of King, Turnbow, Smith & Vanzin. Smith handles a diverse amount of litigation in criminal defense, juvenile and family law cases.