Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe Appoints J.R. Smith to Virginia Asian Advisory Board

RICHMOND, Va. — June 13, 2014 — Hunton & Williams LLP partner J.R. Smith was appointed by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe to the Virginia Asian Advisory Board (VAAB). Smith, one of five citizen members appointed to the group, is a restructuring and corporate finance partner in the firm’s Richmond office.

“According to the US census, Asian Americans are the fastest growing of all the major ethnic groups in the country in terms of percentage growth,” said Smith. “I’m honored to be selected to serve on the Governor’s commission and look forward to working with the other appointees to further the VAAB mission and to serve these Virginians who enrich our state.”

The board was created to recognize the importance of the contributions of the Asian Community in Virginia, to advise and inform the Governor’s administration on issues facing Asian constituents and to advocate for the interests of that community.

Smith is the former managing partner of the firm’s Tokyo office, which opened in 2011. Leveraging a rich history of living and working in Japan and throughout Asia for over 20 years, Smith has a unique understanding of business interests between Virginia and Asia. Prior to obtaining his law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law, Smith received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and East Asian studies from Washington and Lee University.