Stetson University College of Law accepting nominations for William Reece Smith Jr. Public Service Award

Feb. 7, 2025 – Stetson University College of Law is currently accepting nominations via email for the prestigious William Reece Smith Jr. Public Service Award, which recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service to the legal profession and community. This year’s award will be presented at the Annual Inns of Court Banquet in the Great Hall, which will be held in late March or early April (details forthcoming).

How to email a nomination:

  • Use: 2025 William Reece Smith Jr. Public Service Award Nomination as the RE: line,
  • In the body of the email:
    • Include the nominee’s name,
    • Describe why the nominee is deserving of the award in 350 word or less, and
    • Include your name as the nominator (and, yes, you can nominate yourself!).
  • Email your nomination by 5:00p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025,  to our Faculty Support department at: [email protected].  

Wm. Reece Smith Jr. served as a distinguished professorial lecturer at Stetson Law

The annual award is named in honor of legendary Florida lawyer William Reece Smith Jr. who served for decades as a distinguished professional lecturer at Stetson Law. Smith, who passed away in 2013, dedicated more than 60 years of service to the legal profession. He worked tirelessly to provide legal services to the poor. Smith founded and served as the first president of Florida Legal Services, served as a city attorney for Tampa, chair and trustee of numerous colleges and universities, interim president of the University of South Florida, and as board member of countless religious, charitable, civic and professional organizations.

Stetson established the William Reece Smith Jr. Award in 1990 to honor outstanding contributions to public service, the justice system and the community.

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