Smith has a relatively weak academic record for someone in his position: he merely graduated "cum laude" from [[Harvard]], as much of each class does, and apparently without even serving on a law review. He did not obtain any post-graduation clerkship, as many of his higher-achieving classmates did. Smith's first job after graduation, in the [[Manhattan]] DA's office, was relatively non-selective. It's quite possible he lacks an understanding of basic legal concepts, and the interplay between courts and other branches of government. | Smith has a relatively weak academic record for someone in his position: he merely graduated "cum laude" from [[Harvard]], as much of each class does, and apparently without even serving on a law review. He did not obtain any post-graduation clerkship, as many of his higher-achieving classmates did. Smith's first job after graduation, in the [[Manhattan]] DA's office, was relatively non-selective. It's quite possible he lacks an understanding of basic legal concepts, and the interplay between courts and other branches of government. |