Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science
Education
Juris Doctorate, Massachusetts School of Law
About
A part-time Assistant Professor of Legal Studies at Wheaton, Attorney William S. Smith is the owner and proprietor of The Law Office of William S. Smith, a high-profile Princeton, Massachusetts law firm. Professor Smith is the co-author of “Warrantless Searches of Persons or Places” in the prior edition of the award-winning reference manual used by attorneys, “Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts,” published by MCLE. His clients have included a man who served 35 years in state prison for a murder he did not commit.
Professor Smith has been an invited lecturer and instructor at many continuing legal education seminars and conferences for attorneys and judges. He is also the founder of the first and only website for appellate criminal defense attorneys across the state. As a bar association leader, Professor Smith has testified before the Massachusetts Judiciary Committee in the Massachusetts State House multiple times with respect to criminal justice reform legislation. He has litigated criminal and civil cases extensively throughout both the state and federal trial and appellate courts. Professor Smith’s experience includes having written Petitions for Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court.
In 2008 he argued a landmark case to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on racial profiling automobile stops by the police, Commonwealth v. Lora. Professor Smith has also represented defendants in many other high-profile serious felony criminal matters, as well as in major civil cases. He has argued many first and second-degree murder appeals to the state’s highest courts.
Professor Smith’s courses include:
- Moot Court
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Cases- Investigation Through Trial
- Wrongful Convictions
- The Law of Evidence & Forensics
In addition to teaching, Professor Smith coaches his Moot Court students who choose to participate in the American Moot Court Association (AMCA) annual tournament.
Other interests:
- Sea Kayaking
- Hiking
- Running
Publications
Chapter on Warrantless Search & Seizure in “Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts” (Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 2010 ed.)
Teaching Interests
- Moot Court
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Cases- Investigation Through Trial
- Wrongful Convictions
- The Law of Evidence & Forensics
Student Projects
Professor Smith coaches Wheaton students who choose to participate in the American Moot Court Association (AMCA) tournament:
This event is an extremely competitive national tournament of undergraduate students who participate in simulated oral argument hearings.
