The VLW Blog

Recently retired York/Poquoson Circuit Judge N. Prentis Smiley passed away on Christmas day after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 70.

A graduate of Lynchburg College and the College of William & Mary law school, Judge Smiley was in private practice for nearly 30 years before being appointed circuit judge in 1995. He ended his 13-year career on the bench earlier this month as presiding judge for the 9th Judicial Circuit.

“He was a wonderful judge,” Williamsburg-James City Circuit Judge Samuel Powell III told the The Virginia Gazette. “He was always well-prepared for every trial. He was fair. He was honest and he was highly respected by his fellow judges.”