In Memoriam: Wm. Reece Smith, Jr.

Wm. Reece Smith, Jr., the chair emeritus and shareholder of the law firm of Carlton Fields, died at his home in Tampa, FL, on January 11 after a brief illness. He was 87. An ALI member for 46 years, Mr. Smith served on the ALI Council for nearly three decades before taking emeritus status in 2010. He was a member of the ALI-ABA Committee on Continuing Professional Education for nearly 25 years and chaired the ALI-ABA Planning Subcommittee from 1999 to 2004. A former Rhodes Scholar, a past president of the American Bar Association, and the first American to serve as president of the International Bar Association, Mr. Smith was the recipient of countless awards, including the ABA’s highest honor, the rarely given Gold Medal, and its Pro Bono Publico Award. He was a tireless advocate for the provision of legal services to the poor. A Minute in Remembrance of Mr. Smith was read at the ALI Council’s meeting on January 17, 2013.

Minute in Remembrance

Wm. Reece Smith

September 19, 1925 – January 11, 2013

On January 17, 2013, the following Minute in Remembrance was read at the Council Meeting:

On January 1, 1946, in the City of Jacksonville in his beloved Florida, Reece Smith, as the starting quarterback of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, proudly stepped forward to compete in the first Gator Bowl ever played. His inspiring play helped stir a crowd of 7362 fans in Fairfield Stadium to support the establishment of a great NCAA tradition. The young quarterback was showing the early signs of his decisive leadership, and the University of South Carolina later presented him the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award, and its highest award, the honorary doctoral degree.

Reece continued his education at the University of Florida, graduating first in his law-school class and serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. A Rhodes Scholarship then took him to Christ Church, Oxford, where he studied a bit and had lots of fun, double dating once with the then-Princess Elizabeth. Reece loved his country, and served in the Navy as an ensign aboard the USS Columbia in World War II.

Reflecting on this early life of work, study, and preparation, it is easy to recognize that today we remember the only American lawyer ever to serve as the head of his local, state, national, and international bar associations, as well as scores of other positions of responsibility. He led each of these organizations with skill, dexterity, intelligence, and ability. In every case he continued to be the leader, the quarterback of his team.

Reece loved the law. He loved the structure and fabric of the law. He loved the ALI and its work to clarify and improve the law. And he loved the law for what it does for people, helping people order their lives and protecting their rights and liberties.

Reece Smith was also the quarterback of a legal practice and of the organized bar to establish pioneering standards for pro bono work. Working in his office daily until a few weeks before he departed this life, he helped build Carlton Fields and establish its reputation for excellence. He was a visionary about the rule of law in a progressive society—an inspirational figure whose determination charged the legal profession to create opportunities for pro bono services to benefit millions of people across the world.

The impact of our esteemed colleague was not restricted to the practice of law. His citizenship was multidimensional, and persons from various sectors looked to him for leadership, not necessarily because he was an expert in their field, but because of his judgment, wisdom, and counsel.

The record reflects his many accomplishments in the field of education, including service as interim president of the University of South Florida and decades of service to the Rhodes Scholar selection process. His prestige influenced many civic endeavors, the promotion of economic development, and local governance. His broad interests led him to the presidency of the Tampa Philharmonic Orchestra, and he became the founding president of the Florida Orchestra.

Reece had a lively and curious mind. He had that spark that attracted people to him. And that twinkle in his eye told you that he saw a touch of humor in even the most serious work. That twinkle was also evidence of a healthy dose of skepticism. You could not pull one over on Reece. He had seen it all. His judgment was impeccable. His counsel was sought by all who knew him. He could defuse the most contentious situation with just the right point, a quip, or just his disarming smile.

Reece brought comfort with his soothing voice, and he had real concern for us and our families. He sent personalized holiday cards even last month.

Reece was more than a mentor. He was a role model. I am not sure Reece fully knew how much we all looked up to him. We watched him. We listened to him. We admired him. We loved him.

- William C. Hubbard

http://www.ali.org/_news/reporter/spring-summer-2013/spring-summer-2013.pdf