Archie L. Smith III was elected clerk of Superior Court for Durham County in 2002. His work includes administering the filing of court papers, overseeing the flow of funds to and through the Durham court system, and managing a staff of 75. He serves as judge in numerous matters, including probate, competency, foreclosure, estates, adoptions, land partitions, and name changes. Smith always seeks to welcome new attorneys, serving as a guide to them upon their entry into the court system. Before being elected clerk, he practiced law in Durham County for 26 years. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his law degree from the North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Smith has served on numerous committees for the North Carolina Association of Clerks of Superior Court, including chairing the Joint Clerk/Bar Task Force, and served as second vice president of the North Carolina Conference of Clerks of Superior Court. He is a life member of the National College of Probate Judges. He has served on the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners and was a member of the Bar Candidate Committee for the 14th Judicial District for 20 years, nine of which he served as chairman.

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