Grasford W. Smith

People

Grasford has the rare gift of being attuned and responsive to my needs.

Chief Legal Officer, Publicly Traded Direct to Consumer Company

Grasford’s leadership and proactive approach has had a significant positive impact on our organization’s results, and his performance has been exemplary.

Chief Legal Officer, Publicly Traded National Insurance Carrier

I often seek [Grasford’s] counsel because his responses are hyper-focused on the business solution, which is exactly what the company needs to thrive in a competitive environment.

Chief Legal Officer, Publicly Traded Direct to Consumer Company

Grasford Smith is a prominent leader in the national legal landscape, recognized for his expertise both inside and outside the courtroom. As a partner and board member at Akerman LLP, he handles high-stakes, complex commercial litigation for Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. His practice — spanning private equity, insurance, and energy — has earned him consistent honors from Best Lawyers and Lawdragon's "Top 500 Lawyers in America."

Leveraging extensive boardroom experience, Grasford is uniquely qualified to provide strategic legal counsel for “bet-the-company” commercial disputes and other business matters. He has a proven track record of successfully securing multimillion-dollar settlements and dismissals for his clients. An avid boxing enthusiast and former boxing referee and judge, he has also represented prominent sports figures and teams, including an iconic boxing promoter.

Beyond litigation, Grasford is a prolific scholar and frequent speaker, regularly sharing his insights on complex legal trends and leadership at national forums. A Florida Supreme Court certified mediator with deep roots in the New York and Washington, D.C. markets, his commitment to service is reflected in his leadership as vice president of the National Bar Association and as a governor on the Florida Bar Board of Governors. A fixture in Florida’s civic community and a graduate of Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class 40, he has held numerous leadership roles in Palm Beach County — including president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Black Chamber of Commerce — earning him consistent recognition as a "Top 500 Business Leader" by Florida Trend.

Grasford holds a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law, where he was a Dean’s Scholar, founding executive editor of the Journal of Law & Business, and a Vanderbilt Graduation Medal Recipient. He earned a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from Florida State University’s College of Business where he served as president of the Management Information Systems Association and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi. Leveraging his background as a computer programmer and a Cybersecurity Certificate from Harvard, he offers the technical fluency required for today’s digital legal landscape. He further honed his leadership and business acumen within the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Emerging Leaders Program and Cornell University Business Strategy Program, providing the sophisticated counsel necessary for evolving business challenges.

Notable Work

Eminent Domain Dispute:

Representation of a New York state development corporation in connection with the exercise of its eminent domain power to help clear the way for a $4 billion redevelopment project in Brooklyn, New York.

Congressman Election Challenge:

Representation of a congressman in an election challenge which resulted in the congressman's election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Online Travel Agency Breach of Contract Dispute:

Representation of a major online travel agency in a breach of contract dispute with a gift card vendor resulting in a favorable settlement.

Marine Lighting Company Trial Court Injunction and Appeal:

Representation of a marine lighting company in obtaining an injunction at trial court for violation of a non-compete agreement which was then successfully defended on appeal.

Construction Defect Cases of Equestrian Facility:

Representation of an equestrian facility's owner in settling a construction defect case of a horse rink at mediation.

Multimillion Dollar Buyout for Defense Contractor Shareholder:

Representation of a defense contractor shareholder in a dispute with another shareholder regarding the purchase of shares, resulting in a multimillion dollar buyout for the client.

Marine Industry Retailer Trademark Dispute:

Representation of a marine industry retailer and manufacturer in settling a trademark dispute.

Major University 501(c)(3):

Representation of a major university in establishing a 501(c)(3) for a foundation.

501(c)(3) Purchase of For Profit Assets:

Representation of a 501(c)(3) in the purchase of all the assets of a for profit corporation.

City Manager Employment Contract Dispute:

Representation of a city manager in an employment contract dispute with a city resulting in a favorable settlement.

Multiple Third-Party Contract Disputes:

Representation of South Florida hotels in numerous third-party contract disputes resulting in favorable settlements.

Dismissal of Americans with Disabilities Act Claim:

Representation of South Florida hotel in defense of an Americans with Disabilities Act claim resulting in a dismissal.

Eviction of Commercial Tenants:

Representation of commercial building owners in eviction of commercial tenants.

Charter School Dispute Against Donor:

Representation of a charter school in a dispute against a donor resulting in favorable settlement.

Multiple Bar Grievance Matters:

Representation of attorneys in multiple bar grievance matters resulting in no probable cause findings.

Law Firm Dispute with National Bank:

Representation of law firm in dispute with national bank regarding payment of attorney fees resulting in a favorable settlement.

Show all

The National Bar Association's 100th Annual Convention, Energy Forum, Moderator, "Unleashing American Energy: Can Deregulation Deliver Energy Independence?" July 29, 2025
National Bar Association Convention, Moderator, "Counseling Clients Through a Crisis," July 15, 2024
Florida State University College of Business, Speaker, "Defining Leadership," March 28, 2024
Florida State University College of Business, Speaker, "2023 Dean's Distinguished Speaker Series," October 19, 2023
Investiture of Florida Supreme Court Justice Renatha Francis, Featured Speaker, October 18, 2023
Boyd Anderson High School, Speaker, Keynote Commencement Address, June 4, 2023
2023 National Bar Association Corporate Law Section Gateway Conference, Moderator, "No! Your Company Needs a Strong ESG Plan," April 28, 2023
Black Employees Leading in Inclusion, Excellence, Vision & Empowerment (BELIEVE), Speaker, One-on-One Series, "A Conversation with Florida’s 'Super Lawyer,' Grasford Smith," April 28, 2022
2021 National Conference of Bar Presidents, Speaker, "Diversity Plenary: DEI – Does Your Seat At the Table Change the View?" August 3, 2021
National Bar Association, 96th Annual Convention and Exhibits, Moderator, “Changing the Diversity Narrative – Making Diversity a Movement in the Legal Profession and Not a Moment,” July 23, 2021
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc., Speaker, "Small Business Liability Issues During COVID-19," June 2020
NYU Law News, Quoted, "Litigator Grasford Smith '05 Emerges as a Leader in Florida's Legal Community," September 2019
Comerica Bank, Business Readiness Certification Training Program, Speaker, "Business Organizations and Contract Law," July 2019
Palm Beach County Office of Small Business Assistance, 2017 Business Readiness Certification Program, Speaker, "Legal Issues Relevant to Small Business Owners and Start-ups," October 5, 2017
Palm Beach County Office of Small Business Assistance, 2017 Business Readiness Certification Program, Speaker, "Legal Issues Relevant to Small Business Owners and Start-ups," September 26, 2017
New York University Journal of Law & Business, Author, "So You Want to be a Business Lawyer: A Few Practical Suggestions for Making the Transition from Student to Practitioner," February 1, 2017
National Pan-Hellenic Council, Candidate Forum, Moderator, August 12, 2016
Women of Color Empower Institute, Inc., Electoral Candidate Forum, Moderator, July 25, 2016
National Bar Association Mid-Year Meeting, Moderator, "Tips for Preparing for and Responding to a Cybersecurity Incident," April 22, 2016
City of West Palm Beach 2016 Electoral Candidate Forum, Moderator, February 25, 2016
Palm Beach County Bench Bar Conference, Moderator, "Commercial Litigation Session on Electronically Stored Information/Discovery," February 19, 2016
City of Riviera Beach 2016 Electoral Candidate Forum, Moderator, February 16, 2016
Legal Leaflets of Legacy, Author, "Mental Health in the Legal Profession," Winter 2015
National Bar Association Convention, Moderator, "Developing Business in the Corporate Arena," July 20, 2015
The Florida Bar Seminar, Panelist, "Practicing with Professionalism," May 14, 2015
National Bar Association Mid-Year Meeting, Moderator, "Data Security: What We Know and How We Protect It," March 26, 2015
Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association Newsletter, Author, "Legacy of Eric Holder: America's First Black Attorney General," Fall 2014
Rehabilitation Center for Children and Adults, Professional Endowment Committee, Speaker, "Update on the Revised LLC Act," August 21, 2014
The Florida Bar Seminar, Panelist, "Practicing with Professionalism," April 23, 2014
Palm Beach County Bar Association Judicial Luncheon Series, Moderator, "Evidentiary Foundations and Objections/Preserving Objections for Appeal," May 29, 2013
Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County, Ask An Attorney Forum, Speaker, March 25, 2013
Palm Beach County Bar Association Judicial Luncheon Series, Moderator, "Lawyer's Do's and Don'ts," March 20, 2013
Daily Business Review, Author, "Businesses May Face More Lawsuits After Ruling," March 15, 2013
Palm Beach County Bar Association Judicial Luncheon Series, Moderator, "Civil Motion Practice and Discovery Violations," January 23, 2013
Daily Business Review, Author, "Tort of Malicious Prosecution Questioned in Cases," September 11, 2012
2012 South Florida State of the Black Business Forum, Panelist, "Job Creation, Contracts, and Innovation for Black Business Owners," August 31, 2012
Urban League of Palm Beach County Graduation Recognition Reception, Keynote Speaker, June 1, 2012
Urban League Young Professionals of Palm Beach County, Electoral Hall Forum, Moderator, October 18, 2010
Palm Beach County Bar Association Diversity Summit, Panelist, "Perspectives on Diversity in the Legal Profession in Palm Beach County," September 24, 2009

Judicial Intern to the Honorable Judge Troy K. Webber, Bronx Supreme Court, The Bronx, New York, 2003
Goldman Sachs, Summer Associate, 2003

Florida State University College of Business
- Executive Committee, 2025-Present
- Board of Governors, 2023-2025
The Florida Bar
- Board of Governors, 2024-2026
  - Communications Committee, Chair Elect, 2025-Present
  - Program Evaluation Committee, 2025-Present
  - Board Legislation Committee, 2024-Present
  - Board Review Committee on Professional Ethics, 2024-2025
- Corporate Counsel Committee, Vice Chair, 2025
- Special Committee on Mentoring New Lawyers, 2022-2023
- Special Committee on Opportunity in the Practice of Law in Florida, 2021-2022
- 15th Circuit Grievance Committee 15E, Chair, 2019-2020
- 15th Circuit Grievance Committee 15E, Vice Chair, 2019
- 15th Circuit Grievance Committee 15E, Member, 2017-2020
- Civil Procedure Rules Committee, Member, 2014-2017
- Leadership Academy, Inaugural Graduate, 2013-2014
- Commission on Review of the Discipline System, 2011-2012
Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, Board of Directors, 2025-Present
National Bar Association
- Vice President, 2025-Present
- Chair (Region XI), 2021-2022
- Deputy Regional Director (Region XI), 2020-2021
- Minority Partners in Majority Law Firms Division; Vice-Chair, 2014-2020; Chair, 2020-2025
- Parliamentarian, 2014-2015
Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association
- President, 2019-2020
- President-Elect, 2018-2019
- Vice President, 2017-2018
American Heart Association
- Immediate Past Chair, 2024-Present
- Chair, 2022-2024
- Chair Elect, 2021-2022
- Board of Directors and Leadership Development Committee Chair, 2019-2021
Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Board Member, 2023-Present
St. Thomas University Law School Board of Advisors, Board Member, 2021-2025
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
- Board of Trustees 2023-Present
- Board of Directors, 2011-2023
Chamber of Commerce of The Palm Beaches
- Board of Directors, 2024-Present
- Trustee, 2024-Present
Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Immediate Past President, 2024-2025
- President, 2023-2024
- Board of Directors, 2016-2025
- Diversity Committee, Co-Chair, 2016-2017
- Transaction Law Committee, Chair, 2013-2014
Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County
- Immediate Past President, 2023-2025
- President, 2021-2023
- President-Elect, 2019-2021
- Board of Directors, 2014-Present
Leadership Florida Cornerstone, Class 40, 2022-2023
Bank of America Palm Beach County Local Market Selection Committee, Member, 2022
Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach, Florida, 2021
The City of West Palm Beach, Mayor’s Transition Team Committee, Economic Development & Jobs Policy Subcommittee, 2019
Anquan Boldin Foundation, Board Member & Counsel, 2015-2018
Urban League of Palm Beach County
- General Counsel, 2013-Present
- Board of Directors, 2013-Present
United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, Grand Inspector General, 2022-Present
- Thurgood Marshall Lodge #121, President, 2023-Present
Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, President, Epsilon Lambda Boule, 2019-2021
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
- National Associate General Counsel, 2018-2025
- Commission on Race, Chair, 2021-2025
Sigma Tau Delta Legal Fraternity, Member, 2025-Present
Palm Beach County School District, Sales Tax Oversight Committee Member, 2017-2019
NYU Law Alumni of Color Association
- Advisory Board, 2017-Present
- Board of Directors, 2006-2016
Economic Council of Palm Beach County Emerging Leaders, Member, 2016-2022
F. Malcolm Cunningham Sr. Bar Association, President, 2010-2011

Lawdragon, 2021-2026, Listed in “Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America”
National Bar Association
- 2022 President’s Award Recipient, 2025
- Power 50 Award Recipient, 2022
- Clyde E. Bailey Corporate Leadership Award Recipient, 2021
- National Bar Association, Nation’s Best Advocates 40 Under 40 Honoree, 2011
The Florida Bar
- President’s Award For Service on Special Committee on Mentoring New Lawyers, 2023
- President’s Award For Service on Special Committee on Opportunity in the Practice of Law in Florida, 2022
F. Malcolm Cunningham Sr. Bar Association
- Trailblazer Award Recipient, 2024
- Member of the Year, 2011
ICABA, Black Professionals Month (BPM), 2024, Global 100 Honoree
Daily Business Review
- Professional Excellence Awards, “Diversity and Inclusion,” 2023
- Professional Excellence Awards, “Distinguished Leader,” 2021
- Recognized as a “Rising Star,” 2015
Chambers USA, Finalist for the “Diversity & Inclusion: Outstanding Contribution” Award, 2023-2024
Super Lawyers Magazine
- Listed in Florida for Business Litigation, 2021-2025
- Listed in Florida as a “Rising Star,” 2011-2016
Best Lawyers, 2019-2026, Listed in Florida for Commercial Litigation
Palm Beach Illustrated Magazine, 2022, 2024, Listed in Palm Beach County as a “Top Lawyer” for Business Litigation and Commercial Litigation
South Florida Business Journal, 2021, Recognized as “40 Under 40”
Delta Sigma Theta West Palm Beach Alumni Chapter, 2021, Men of Excellence “Trailblazer” Honoree
Florida Trend, 2020, 2024, Listed in Florida Amongst the 500 Most Influential Executives
Legacy South Florida Magazine, 2019, Corporate Executive of the Year
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated, 2013-Present
South Florida Legal Guide, 2018, 2020, Top Up and Comer (Under 40)
NYU Law Alumni of Color Association, 2018, 40 Under 40 Rising Stars
Anquan Boldin Foundation, 2018, Service Award
National Black Lawyers, 2015, Top 100 Lawyers
Legacy Palm Beach Magazine
- South Florida’s Most Powerful Black Professionals in Business, 2013
- South Florida’s 40 under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow, 2011
ICABA, 2009, Rising Star in Law

Grasford W. Smith

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