Meet David Smeigh
David Smeigh has spent the last 23 years working at U.S. embassies abroad and currently serves as the Visa Unit Chief at the U.S. Consulate General in Naples, Italy. He plans to continue working in immigration after graduation but remains open to other possibilities as well.
We asked David to share more about his journey and what he hopes to bring to the legal profession.
What is your hometown?
That's a difficult question for me that I struggle with every time I'm asked. was born in southeast Connecticut and we later moved back there. I graduated from high school in Connecticut. My driver’s license said Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for many years but now says Hamilton, Virginia. I own a house near San Antonio, Texas. We used to own a home in Normandy, France for many years, but we sold it a few years ago. I’m currently based full-time in Naples, Italy—my ninth overseas posting with the U.S. government. So, pick one?
What are your goals for your future in the field of law?
I'm open-minded. Maybe I'll fall in love with an area of law I haven't considered yet. But as a consular officer, I find myself naturally drawn to immigration law, where I already bring real expertise. I've seen firsthand that there's a genuine knowledge gap among immigration attorneys when it comes to understanding the "black box" of consular processing overseas—how officers adjudicate cases and why. My goal is to build on that expertise so I can be a better translator between the two sides of the visa window, whether that's within government or eventually in private practice.
How do you expect your professional background to shape the kind of lawyer you become?
I owe so much to my professional background. I started my adult life without direction and joined the Army as a bit of a last resort. But I've learned so many valuable skills over the years — leadership, delegation, diligence, integrity, and many other skills and qualities that I know will benefit me as both a law student and then later as a practicing attorney.