Rebecca Beach Smith

Rebecca Beach Smith
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Assumed office
August 1, 2019
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
In office
December 4, 2011 – December 4, 2018
Preceded byJames R. Spencer
Succeeded byMark Steven Davis
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
In office
October 25, 1989 – August 1, 2019
Appointed byGeorge H. W. Bush
Preceded byDavid Dortch Warriner
Succeeded byRoderick C. Young
Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
In office
1985–1989
Personal details
Born1949 (age 74–75)
Hopewell, Virginia, U.S.
EducationCollege of William & Mary (BA, JD)
University of Virginia (MA)

Rebecca Beach Smith (born 1949) is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and a civic leader. Among her many decisions is the 2011 ruling that decided the title to and restrictions upon artifacts salvaged from the wreck of the RMS Titanic.