Background
Tarvald Anthony Smith is a native of Baton Rouge. He is married to Allison Kleinpeter Smith and is the proud stepfather of Spencer Kleinpeter. He is a 1988 graduate of Scotlandville Magnet High School. In 1991, Tarvald received a B.S in Economics from Southern University and briefly worked in the banking industry in Dallas, TX. Upon returning to Baton Rouge, he attended Southern University Law Center, and while there he was the Executive Editor of the Southern University Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Board. After receiving his Juris Doctor in 1995, he began his legal career as a Prosecutor with the District Attorney’s Office and continued his career as a Prosecutor with the Attorney General’s Office. During this time, he also maintained a private practice in the area of civil law, which later included personal injury, criminal defense, and probate law. In March 2004, he was appointed to District 4 to fill a vacancy with the East Baton Rouge School Board, and was elected to fill that seat in September of 2004, and was re-elected in 2007, 2010, and 2014. He also served as Vice President for the School Board from 2010 to 2014. Tarvald was also the Public Defender for the City of Baker from 2012 to 2015. In November of 2015, he became Judge after winning the October 2015 election for the “At-Large” Division C at Baton Rouge City Court.
Professional & Business Affiliations
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American Bar Association
Baton Rouge Bar Association
Louisiana State Bar Association
National Bar Association
Civic Affiliations
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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated
- Louis A. Martinet Legal Society
- NAACP
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