Alison Smith, a extremely achieved lawyer of Jamaican heritage, etched her identify in historical past as she turned the first black woman to assume leadership of the Broward County Bar Association (BCBA) in Florida. Nevertheless, her exceptional journey doesn’t finish there. In line with an article by Jamaica Observer, Smith plans to interrupt extra limitations and seize new alternatives inside the authorized realm.
A Swift Ascent: Florida Bar Board of Governors
Nearly instantly after her BCBA presidency concluded in June 2023, Smith, with the help of BCBA’s Govt Director Braulio Rosa, launched into a recent endeavor.
She determined to run for a place on the Florida Bar Board of Governors and her dedication paid off when her opponent withdrew from the race, securing her a spot on the board.
The Florida Bar is the regulatory authority for attorneys within the state of Florida, answerable for a myriad of issues that relate to the observe of legislation, together with creating coverage that promotes professionalism and integrity and addressing problems with lawyer misconduct.
Paving the way in which for increased goals
Smith’s election to the Florida Bar Board of Governors positions her to pursue the presidency of your entire state Bar, a corporation comprising over 100,000 attorneys.
Notably, no Jamaican lady has ever held the distinguished place of Florida Bar president, an establishment established in 1889.
As Smith works in direction of her bold aim, the Florida Bar has simply elected its first African-American lady president, Sia Baker-Barnes, a distinguished lawyer from West Palm Seashore.
Considerably, Smith and Baker-Barnes share a detailed friendship and mutual respect.
A Dream Realized: “Wi Likkle However Wi Tallawah”
Expressing her humility and keenness for serving her constituency, Smith advised the Jamaica Observer that she is honored, and enthusiastic about serving her constituency, the seventeenth circuit, which is likely one of the largest circuits within the state.
She added that she intends to make the entire world conscious that “wi likkle however wi tallawah,” showcasing her deep-rooted Jamaican pleasure.
A Jamaican at Coronary heart
Though born in New York, Smith’s coronary heart has at all times remained in Jamaica, the place her mother and father raised her.
She migrated to the USA in 1996 after finishing her schooling at Manchester Excessive Faculty in Mandeville, Manchester.
Smith proudly identifies as “very Jamaican” and serves as an unofficial ambassador for her beloved homeland.
A legacy of feat
Smith’s trailblazing journey started when she turned the primary black lady to realize partnership standing at her Hollywood, Florida legislation agency, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Berman, a agency with a quarter-century legacy.
Her educational prowess shines by means of her valedictorian standing at Nova Southeastern College’s legislation faculty and her magna cum laude commencement from the Shepard Broad Faculty of Legislation.
Earlier than getting into legislation faculty, she earned a BSc in Psychology with a minor in authorized research. Presently, she chairs the membership committee of the board of governors for her alma mater.
Past her authorized profession, Smith dedicates substantial time to group service, with a specific concentrate on packages benefiting the Caribbean-American group.
As a former president of the Caribbean Bar Affiliation, she established mentorship initiatives to assist minority college students.
Smith additionally serves on the Board of Administrators for Authorized Help and is an lively member of the Florida Affiliation for Girls Legal professionals.
Her authorized observe encompasses labor and employment, municipal, appellate, and administrative and regulatory issues.
