Episode 5 - Grasford Smith, President of the PBC Bar Association

Summary

This podcast episode features Grassford Smith, a litigation partner at Akerman, co-head of the Palm Beach County office, and the incoming president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association. He discusses his involvement in various leadership roles, including his experience with Leadership Florida, where he values networking, forming deep connections, and learning about Florida’s changing demographics. Smith shares impactful cases, notably a pro bono case preventing a grandmother's eviction and a high-profile election challenge. He emphasizes using his legal skills for community impact, viewing lawyers as "social engineers." As president-elect of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, his theme is "quality of life is key to happiness," focusing on mental health and affordable housing for lawyers. Smith also reflects on personal influences, particularly his parents' dedication, and advises his younger self to "trust the process." He juggles his demanding career and community roles by being intentional with his time and learning to say no.

Key topics

• Professional Background: Grassford Smith is a litigation partner at Akerman, co-head of the Palm Beach County office, past chair of the Black Chamber of Palm Beach County, current chairman of the American Heart Association in Palm Beach County, and incoming president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association.

• Leadership Florida Experience: Smith highlights the program's value in building impactful connections, learning about Florida's changing demographics, and forming unexpected deep friendships.

• Career Highlights:

  • Pro Bono Case: Successfully represented a grandmother facing eviction, demonstrating the significant impact lawyers can have on individuals' lives.

  • Election Challenge: Part of the legal team representing Patrick Murphy in an election challenge, a high-stakes case determining political representation.

• Professional Recognition: Acknowledges numerous awards and honors but views them as motivation to work harder and use his platform to spotlight others.

• "Social Engineer" Philosophy: Inspired by Charles Hamilton Houston, Smith believes lawyers should be "social engineers" by using their skills to make a positive community impact, exemplified by his involvement with organizations like the Legal Aid Society and Urban League.

• Palm Beach County Bar Association Presidency:

  • Term & Election: Elected president-elect after years of committee work and board service; his term is one year.

  • Theme: "Quality of life is a key to happiness," focusing on issues like mental health and affordable housing for lawyers (e.g., public servants), recognizing the broader housing crisis in the county.

• Work-Life Balance:

  • Strategies: Dedicates weekends to family, schedules exercise, and practices intentional time management (e.g., handling emails during quiet hours).

  • Hobbies: Mentions being a licensed USA Boxing official (judge and referee) as a unique outlet.

  • Learning to Say No: Emphasizes the importance of carefully evaluating commitments and sometimes declining to avoid overextension, though he acknowledges it's a continuous "work in progress."

• Personal Influences:

  • Parents: Credits his parents (mother: hairdresser turned nurse, minister, and radio host; father: Jamaican Army and taxi driver) for instilling strong values, hard work, and a focus on education.

  • Mentors: Values mentors (e.g., Scott Hawkins, Michael Marsh) who provide honest advice and encourage him to "pour into" others.

• Advice to Younger Self: Would advise his younger, ambitious, and sometimes anxious self to "trust the process," lean into relationships, and have faith that good things will unfold in their own time.