Akerman Litigation Partner Grasford Smith has been elected to The Florida Bar Board of Governors and will serve a two-year term. Smith is also assigned to the Board Review Committee on Professional Ethics and the Board Legislation Committee, as well as liaison to the Clients’ Security Fund Committee and the Mentoring New Lawyers Committee.

The 52-member Board of Governors has exclusive authority to formulate and adopt matters of policy concerning the activities of the Bar.

"The Florida Bar and its Board of Governors play an important role in ensuring the effectiveness of our justice system, and so I look forward continuing my contributions to that effort in this new role," Smith said.

Smith has served in several leadership positions with The Florida Bar since 2011. He also currently serves on the Florida State University College of Business Board of Governors, and his term as president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association ended earlier this year.

"Grasford has served in leadership roles with numerous professional and civic organizations, and each has benefited greatly from his tireless energy and thoughtfulness. His colleagues in the Bar have chosen well," said Larry Rochefort, Chair of Akerman's Litigation Practice.

Smith is based in Akerman's West Palm Beach office where he focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation matters. He has experience representing Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, athletic leagues, technology companies, and a U.S. Congressman, in addition to a variety of small and medium-sized businesses. He is also certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a circuit civil mediator.

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