PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
Grasford W . Smith 2023-24 PBCBA President
In my role as President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association , I have served as an ambassador for the organization to explain to members of the public what the Bar does to support the community and to support its members . The way you grade any organization is by measuring its impact and whether it lives up to its mission . The Bar ' s mission is " to serve its members , foster professionalism , and enhance the public understanding , and awareness of the legal system . We are very active in providing numerous public service activities and giving back to the community ." I am proud to say that the Bar is meeting its mission based upon the work it has done and continues to do over many years .
From a community involvement perspective , the Bar has consistently supported the Palm Beach County community in several key ways . For example , the Bar raises money to buy books for children who participate in " National Adoption Day " at the Main Courthouse . The Bar organizes a toy and donation drive for children in the foster care system . Also geared towards children , the Bar organizes an " Adopt-A- School " project which donates school supplies to underperforming schools .
Through its " No Shave November " fundraiser , the Bar helped raise $ 50,000 last year to help men who are fighting cancer . The Bar donates hundreds of books and magazines for community members who are placed in local behavioral health facilities . During Law Week , the Bar organizes a " Dial-A-Lawyer " program , which provides a hotline for the public to reach volunteer lawyers who make themselves available over three days to answer legal questions .
Importantly , the Bar has a longstanding commitment to support the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County for which I also proudly serve as a Trustee . Funds raised by the Bar have supported programs at the Legal Aid Society that help , among other groups , veterans and children in poverty .
The Bar also has a Lawyer Referral Service , which provides a contact point for members of the public to reach attorneys based upon legal specialty . These programs all have one thing in common – lawyers providing their time to help the community and with the exception of the lawyer referral service , with no expectation of personal gain .
The Bar also takes great pride in the direct services it provides to its members . I have written in previous messages about the Bar ' s recent
" Quality of Life " Initiative , which focuses on empowering individuals with a comprehensive understanding of how a balanced and fulfilling life contributes to overall happiness and well-being . The Bar provides other longstanding benefits , such as the opportunity to attend the Bench Bar Conference that occurs annually in March . For more than 40 years , this Conference has provided our members with the opportunity to meet with judges and exchange ideas on cutting edge topics .
This year ' s theme at the Conference is " Get in the Game : March Madness ." Beyond having new themes each year , the Bar offers relevant and timely programming – for example this year ' s Conference will include a session on “ Technology AI .” The Conference will feature " Wellness " sessions with a licensed mental health counselor and offer a " Lactation Room " for nursing mothers . Conference attendees will also have the great opportunity to witness the keynote speech from Florida Supreme Court Justice Renatha Francis , who is a member of our local community .
Our professional staff and volunteers have spent many hours planning a Conference that will provide valuable information and opportunities to network to our members and provide well-needed CLE credit hours . I encourage you to get the benefit of your membership by attending the Conference . I also encourage you to contact the Bar for sponsorship opportunities since this is one of our most well-attended and high profile events .
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 3