BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION
Shana Nogues
Firm / Employer : Clark , Fountain , La Vista , Prather & Littky-Rubin Law School : Tulane University Law School Year admitted to practice : 2012 Year joined PBCBA : 2020
My belief in the value of collegiality and professionalism among our local bar , and my desire to promote mentorship and support of each other as lawyers , has inspired me to serve the PBCBA . With the support of my firm , Clark , Fountain , La Vista Prather & Littky-Rubin , I am running for a seat on the Board of Directors , and ask for your vote .
I have served on both the Judicial Relations Committee and the Law-Related Education Committee . I have enjoyed organizing many well-attended webinars through my involvement with FAWL , and have proudly served as a mentor for children in the dependency system and a Guardian Ad Litem .
In these various roles , I have seen the value of mentorship and team-building . At this point in my career , I believe the PBCBA Board is a perfect place for me to merge my drive , organizational skills and passion with my genuine desire to make local lawyers feel a part of our local legal community . I want to assist new lawyers and those who may need help navigating our local legal system , by making sure there are ways for them to connect with our distinguished Bar of dedicated professionals . I want our local Bar to consciously work towards greater inclusion .
I have many ideas for fostering engagement , and connection in these unprecedented times , and believe that my background and skills will make me a valuable contributor to the PBCBA . I hope you will honor me by selecting me to represent you on the PBCBA Board .
Grasford Smith *
Firm / Employer : Jones Foster Law School : New York University Year admitted to practice : 2006 Year joined PBCBA : 2008
Charles Hamilton Houston famously stated that “ lawyers are either social engineers or parasites on society .” I take that charge very seriously . Bar service has been a cornerstone of my legal career for more than 15 years . I have the distinct honor to serve on the Palm Beach County Bar Board for 5 years and during that time have been involved in every consequential decision of the Bar , including choosing an executive Director , minimizing the financial and operational impact from fire damage to the Bar building , etc .
As a Board Member , I draw on my wealth of experience in my law practice and in my Bar and community service . In addition to being a Litigation Partner at Akerman , I have served the Bar and community in various capacities , such as Chair of Palm Beach County Grievance Committee 15E , President of the Virgil Hawkins Bar Association , Board Member of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach , Member of the Florida Bar Civil Procedure Rules Committee , General Counsel of the Urban League of Palm Beach County , President of the F . Malcolm Cunningham Sr . Bar Association , and Chair of the Palm Beach County Bar ’ s Transaction Law and Diversity Committees . I was also recently nominated to serve on the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 15th Circuit .
The breadth of my experience allows me to respond to the unpredictable challenges facing the Bar and to protect the Bar for its members . I am honored that several former Presidents of the Florida Bar have endorsed my candidacy for reelection . I would appreciate your vote .
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 23