Michael Smith grew up in Belgrade, Montana and moved to Vermillion in 2009 to attend USD. In 2013, he graduated from USD with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.
During his undergraduate studies, Michael worked as a part time Clay County Jailer and in December 2012 he was promoted to Clay County Deputy Sheriff. Michael continued to work in that capacity until August 2018, at which time he left full-time law enforcement service to attend the USD Knudson School of Law. During his law school tenure, Michael served as a volunteer Clay County Reserve Deputy Sheriff.
After graduation from the USD Knudson School of Law in 2021, Michael and his family moved to Rapid City, where he worked in private law for a short time before returning to public service as a Deputy State’s Attorney for the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office. During his time in Pennington County, Michael obtained an abundance of courtroom and trial experience. 
On June 1st, 2023, Michael returned to Vermillion as the appointed Clay County State’s Attorney. In 2024 he ran unopposed and now serves as the elected Clay County State’s Attorney.
In 2023, Michael was appointed by the South Dakota Attorney General to the Open Meetings Commission, a commission he continues to serve on.
Michael, and his wife Christen have four children: Nevaeh, Caleb, Elysa, and Clayton. In his free time Michael enjoys spending time with his family, coaching and spectating his children’s sporting events, playing golf, and running.