D. Culver “Skip” Smith III has an exceptional history of service to his clients and the legal profession.
He was admitted to the bar in 1967.

He served a year as a judicial clerk at the District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District, followed by four years of active duty in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG). He has been in private practice since 1972.

His experience counseling lawyers and others on ethical issues is enhanced by his deep involvement with The Florida Bar and the courts. He chaired a Florida Bar grievance committee and served two terms on the Board of Governors of the Florida Bar. In addition, he is a long-time member of and has twice chaired the Florida Bar Professional Ethics Committee, which issues advisory ethics opinions to members of the bar.

Organizations & Committees

The Florida Bar

  • Board of Governors (1984-1988)
  • Professional Ethics Committee (2001-2007, 2010-2016, 2019-date) (twice Chairperson)
  • Special Committee to Review the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct (1983–1984)
  • Special Committee to Review the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct 2002 (2002-2006)
  • Special Commission on Professionalism (Vice Chairperson) (1987-1989)
  • Standing Committee on Professionalism (1989-1993, 2016-2019)
  • Hawkins Commission on Discipline System (2011-2012)

Palm Beach County Bar Association

  • President (1982-1983)
  • Professionalism Committee (1991, 2004-date)
  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
    • Legal Ethics and Professionalism Committee (1997-2002, 2005-2013)
  • Member, Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers
  • Member, Florida Association of Bar Defense Lawyers

Publications

Skip has written and lectured extensively on lawyer ethics and professional responsibility. Highlights:

  • Author of Chapter One, “Theories of Liability,” Professional Liability of Lawyers in Florida, published by The Florida Bar
  • Author of numerous articles on legal ethics and professional responsibility

Awards

  • Florida Bar President’s Award of Merit, 1988, 1994
  • Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Professionalism Award, 2002

Education

  • B.A., Washington and Lee University, 1964
  • J.D., Washington and Lee University College of Law, 1967

Military service

U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG), 1968-1972

Culver Smith III, P.A.

1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1440
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

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