{"id":33697,"date":"2026-04-14T10:45:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T14:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/?p=33697"},"modified":"2026-05-12T09:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T13:30:09","slug":"smith-banquet-honors-civil-rights-legal-services-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/14\/smith-banquet-honors-civil-rights-legal-services-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"Smith Banquet Honors Civil Rights &amp; Legal Services Leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"590\" height=\"391\" src=\"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Wm-Reece-Smith-Banquet-April-2026-News-1.jpg\" alt=\"A tall man in a grey suit stands between two women, each wearing red suit jackets. They are in front of a backdrop that reads &quot;Stetson Law.&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-33699\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Wm-Reece-Smith-Banquet-April-2026-News-1.jpg 590w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Wm-Reece-Smith-Banquet-April-2026-News-1-500x331.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Left to right: Pye Young &#8217;05, Stetson Law Sean D. Benjamin Barros, former Florida State Sen. Arthenia Joyner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From bold acts of civil disobedience to innovative strategies for addressing the current justice gap, the 2026 William Reece Smith, Jr. Banquet was a moving exploration of how the law can transform lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each year, the event honors two individuals who embody the values promoted by legendary lawyer <strong>Wm. Reece Smith, Jr<\/strong>. In his leadership of organizations from Florida Legal Services Inc. to the American Bar and International Bar Associations, Smith fought to expand legal services to those who cannot afford them. He was also a distinguished <a>professorial lecturer<\/a> at Stetson Law. This year\u2019s banquet featured former Florida State Senator <strong>Arthenia Joyner<\/strong>, who is best known for her pioneering legal career rooted in Civil Rights Era activism, as the keynote speaker. <strong>Pye Young<\/strong>, a 2005 alumna and managing attorney in Bay Area Legal Services\u2019 St. Petersburg office, was honored with the 2026 Wm. Reece Smith Public Service Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recognizing fearless leadership<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kristin-Adams-April-2026-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A woman wearing a dark suit stands at a Stetson Law podium.\" class=\"wp-image-33700\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4993160054719563;width:335px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kristin-Adams-April-2026-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kristin-Adams-April-2026-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kristin-Adams-April-2026-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kristin-Adams-April-2026-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kristin-Adams-April-2026-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Law Professor Kristen Adams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Introducing Joyner, Law Professor <strong>Kristen Adams<\/strong> referred to her as \u201ca trailblazer, a lawyer, a legislator, and a lifelong advocate for justice\u201d and noted the former Florida Senate Minority Leader has practiced law longer than any other Black woman in Florida history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhere others might have been silenced, Senator Joyner was strengthened,\u201d Adams said. \u201cSome call her an activist. Others call her a pragmatist. All know that she is firm in her resolve to reflect positive change in our society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A return to campus<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the podium, Joyner said this was not her first time speaking at Stetson Law. In 1990, she was the first Black person to serve as the College\u2019s commencement speaker. Thirty-six years later, she returned to honor the legacy of Smith, whom she knew through their shared profession and passion for equal justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo, I\u2019m home now,\u201d she joked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She recalled growing up in Tampa at a time when the Ku Klux Klan was a constant threat and her activism against segregation and other injustices, which included acts of civil disobedience that led to three arrests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s not a criminal record for me. It\u2019s a freedom record,\u201d Joyner said. \u201cWhen your government is wrong, you have not just the right but the obligation to say so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arthenia-Joyner-April-2026-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A woman with short hair and a red suit stands at a podium.\" class=\"wp-image-33702\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4993160054719563;width:333px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arthenia-Joyner-April-2026-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arthenia-Joyner-April-2026-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arthenia-Joyner-April-2026-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arthenia-Joyner-April-2026-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Arthenia-Joyner-April-2026-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Civil rights activist and former Florida State Senator Arthenia Joyner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Florida A&amp;M University alumna became the first Black lawyer to practice in both Polk and Hillsborough Counties in Florida. Elected to serve in the&nbsp;Florida House of Representatives&nbsp;and&nbsp;Florida Senate, including as&nbsp;Senate Minority Leader, Joyner championed civil rights, equitable justice, and opportunities for marginalized communities.&nbsp; She said the fight for progress never ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI have lived 83 years on this earth; more than 50 years at the Bar,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd if there\u2019s one thing I know, it is this: progress is never permanent. Every generation must fight for it. Over and over and over again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As she closed her lecture, she urged the law students and young lawyers in attendance to persevere against efforts to subvert the justice system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you remember nothing else from what I\u2019ve said this evening, remember this: the law is a living thing,\u201d Joyner said. \u201cIt breathes through the people who practice it. It grows when we feed it courage and compassion. And it dies when we allow it to be captured by those who seek power over justice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bridging the justice gap in Tampa Bay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second honoree of the evening, Young was honored for her leadership and innovative approach to expanding legal services in Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Judy-Scully-April-2026-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A woman wearing a brown jacket and colorful skirt speaks at a podium.\" class=\"wp-image-33703\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4993160054719563;width:338px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Judy-Scully-April-2026-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Judy-Scully-April-2026-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Judy-Scully-April-2026-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Judy-Scully-April-2026-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Judy-Scully-April-2026-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Law Professor Judith Scully<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In her introduction, Law Professor <strong>Judith Scully<\/strong> said that while those accused of a crime are legally entitled to representation, people with other legal issues face fees ranging from $250 to $1,000 an hour. With a growing wealth gap in the US, more individuals lack access the legal support that would truly create equal justice under the law \u2013 which results in further injustice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUnfortunately, when people\u2019s lives are not protected, inequality becomes entrenched and trust in the legal system begins to erode rapidly,\u201d Scully said. \u201cConsequently, addressing this justice gap should be of deep concern to all of us in the legal profession.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Young\u2019s work establishing legal clinics and medical partnerships at Bay Area Legal Services, Scully said, embodies the spirit of public service.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pye-Young-April-2026-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A woman with an updo wearing a red suit speaks at a podium.\" class=\"wp-image-33704\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4993160054719563;width:364px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pye-Young-April-2026-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pye-Young-April-2026-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pye-Young-April-2026-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pye-Young-April-2026-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pye-Young-April-2026-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pye Young, a 2005 Stetson Law alumna, has championed legal services.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In her remarks, Young urged students in attendance to harness their legal expertise to help others, and to embrace pro bono opportunities the way they would billable hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSome people feel that pro bono is free legal work,\u201d she said. \u201cBut I submit to you that offering pro bono services and public service is much greater than a requirement of our profession. It is the very manifestation of why we seek to become attorneys in the first place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Invoking the namesake of the evening, Young said dedicating time and expertise to an important cause is one of the most fulfilling things a lawyer can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI challenge each of you to find your inner William Reece Smith,\u201d Young said. \u201cFind your passion. Donate your time to a worthy cause and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who may not be able to afford legal assistance and legal representation. This is the call of our great profession.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From bold acts of civil disobedience to innovative strategies for addressing the current justice gap, the 2026 William Reece Smith, Jr. Banquet was a moving exploration of how the law can transform lives. Each year, the event honors two individuals who embody the values promoted by legendary lawyer Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. In his leadership [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":33699,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[577,3],"tags":[385,2601,1933,2603,2631,1309,1190],"class_list":["post-33697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","category-news-1","tag-applause","tag-lawportal-home-top","tag-news","tag-news-and-stories","tag-news-top","tag-social-justice-advocacy","tag-stetson-today"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Smith Banquet Honors Civil Rights &amp; Legal Services Leaders - Stetson Law News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Former State Senator Arthenia Joyner and 2005 alumna Pye Young shared eye-opening stories and sharp career insights over the evening.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www2.stetson.edu\/law\/news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/14\/smith-banquet-honors-civil-rights-legal-services-leaders\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Smith Banquet Honors Civil Rights &amp; 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