The Hastings community mourns the passing of John K. “Jack” Smith '54

The Hastings community mourns the passing of John K. “Jack” Smith, a legendary attorney, political insider, and partner at Haley, Purchio, Sakai & Smith in Hayward, California.  

According to Chancellor and Dean Nell Jessup Newton ’76, “Jack was a fierce champion for the law school he loved. We will miss his leadership and advocacy.”

Smith graduated from Hastings in 1954 and received the Hastings National Alumnus of the Year Award in 1989.  In 1991, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the 1066 Foundation Board of Trustees, after serving as president.  Appointed to the UC Hastings Board of Directors in 1999, Smith served as board chair from 2004 until June 2008.

Hastings Board of Directors Chair James E. Mahoney ’66 said, “We have lost a great friend and wise counselor. He will be missed by all of us.”

In addition to being an active supporter of Hastings, Mr. Smith served as the first mayor of Hayward and as Vice Chair of the Alameda County Coliseum Board. He was a towering figure in California Democratic politics.

For more on John K. “Jack” Smith, see the news article below.