Litigation Practice Group Partner Grasford Smith has received the Cynthia Henry Duval Outreach Award from The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division. The award honors individuals, firms, and government entities whose outreach strengthens young lawyers' ability to serve clients and broadens participation in the legal profession, from law schools to private, corporate, and government practice.

A nationally recognized litigator, Grasford represents Fortune 500 companies and government agencies in high-stakes commercial disputes. He is a Florida Supreme Court-certified circuit civil mediator and has earned a place on Lawdragon's "500 Leading Lawyers in America." He is also recognized by Best Lawyers for commercial litigation and by Super Lawyers Magazine for business litigation. Beyond the courtroom, Florida Trend named him a "Top 500 Business Leader," and Legacy Magazine recognized him as "Corporate Executive of the Year."

Grasford's record of mentorship and access reflects the spirit of the award. He served on The Florida Bar's Special Committee on Mentoring New Lawyers and is an inaugural graduate of its Leadership Academy. He chaired the National Bar Association's Minority Partners in Majority Law Firms Division for five years, supporting minority attorneys at major firms, and now serves as the organization's vice president of finance. He also serves as general counsel to the Urban League of Palm Beach County, sits on the FSU College of Business Executive Committee, and is a member of the advisory board of the NYU Law Alumni of Color Association.

The Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar has more than 26,000 members, comprising all lawyers under 36 and those in good standing during their first five years of Bar membership. The YLD provides programming and resources designed to support its members and advance the legal profession, including the Practicing with Professionalism program required of all new Florida Bar members.

Grasford was honored during The Florida Bar's Annual Convention in Orlando.