Jim Smith Jim C. Smith is a native of the state of Florida. He earned a B.S. in Public Administration and Government from Florida State University and a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. Jim C. Smith is of counsel for Panza, Maurer & Maynard, P.A. He is also currently a shareholder for Smith & Ballard. Prior to founding Smith and Ballard, Mr. Smith founded a private law practice specializing in environmental and administrative law. Mr. Smith has an extensive background in governmental matters, specifically legislative affairs and administrative law. Mr. Smith is a member of the Florida Bar.

Mr. Smith has served the state of Florida in various roles since 1968. He has served as Florida's Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Chief of Staff for the Office of the Governor. He has also served this state as the Assistant to the Governor, Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Assistant Secretary of State, and Executive Assistant to the Secretary of State. Mr. Smith was also the Co-Chair for the Florida Election Reform Task Force and has sat on the Board of Regents for the State University System.

Mr. Smith has also served on various gubernatorial committees including his current position as Chair of the Help American Vote Act State Planning Committee. His prior roles include participation in the Commission on the Future of Florida's Environment; Governor's Task Force to Promote Ethics in Government and the Governor's Commission on the Statewide Prosecution Function. In addition to his service for the State of Florida, Mr. Smith has served on the President's Commission on White House Fellowship and worked extensively with Vice President Bush's Drug Policy Task Force; Governor Advisory Commission on Corrections (1982).

Currently, Mr. Smith sits on the Board of Trustees for Florida State University. In the past, he was a member of the National Park System Advisory Board; Past President, Board of Trustees, University Foundation; Ex Officio Member: Board of Governors, Stetson University Law School; Florida Law Revision Commission; Board of Directors, Chairman, The Collins Center for Public Policy; Board of Overseers, Stetson College of Law; Florida State University Council of Advisors; President's Fund for Excellence; Florida State University Athletic Committee; and sat on the Advisory Board, National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Youth. He also served as the Grant Orator of the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Florida and Past President of Florida State University National Alumni Association.

Mr. Smith has been honored for his commitment to the State of Florida on numerous occasions. Mr. Smith has received the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree, Florida State University; Conservationist of the Year, Florida Audubon Society; Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree, Stetson University; Stetson University, Distinguished Alumni Award; Friend of Education Award, Florida Teaching Profession-National Education Association; President's Award, Florida Education Association; Furtherance of Justice Award, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association; and Meritorious Service Award, Florida Silver-Haired Legislature. He also has been honored with a U.S. Department of Justice Award for Effectiveness in Drug Enforcement and earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant for the U.S. Army Reserves.

Mr. Smith is currently an active member of the Florida Bar Association, American Judicature Society. Mr. Smith is also a member of the National Florida State University Alumni Association; Florida Council of 100; Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity.

Jim C. Smith lives and practices in Tallahassee, Florida.

E-Mail: JSmith@panzamaurer.com