Originally of Lansing, Michigan, where ancillary law offices are maintained, Louis Smith graduated Michigan State University cum laude in 1962.He graduated the University of Michigan Law School earning the degree of Juris Doctor in 1965. He received the degree of Doctor of Laws, causa honoris from The Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1988.

Mr. Smith was the co-founder, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, serving from 1972 to 1994.

Mr. Smith served on the Advisory Council of the University of Notre Dame Law School. He has served as Director of Universal Forest Products, Inc., a NASDAQ listed company, since 1993.

Mr. Smith served on the Advisory Board of Huntington National Bank from 2000 to 2008, and also served on the Board of Directors of Empire National Bank of Traverse City, Michigan, from 1976 to 2000. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Interlochen Center for the Arts from 1988 to 2007, and currently serves as an Emeritus Trustee.

From 1997 through 1999, Mr. Smith served on the State Tenure Commission, and from 2002-2003 on the Board of Directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. He also served upon nomination by the Michigan Supreme Court and by gubernatorial appointment on The State Board of Law Examiners from 2002-2007. He is a prior member of Grand Traverse County Hearing Panel #2 for the Attorney Discipline Board.

Mr. Smith also served honorably as a member of the Army Reserve for the United States of America from 1957 through 1965.