H.T. Smith
Director of the Trial Advocacy Program
(305) 348-7189
htsmith@fiu.edu
B.A., Florida A & M University
J.D., University of Miami School of Law
Professor H.T. Smith has over 25 years of experience as one of Florida ‘s leading trial lawyers. Upon graduation from law school, he became the first African-American Assistant Public Defender and then the first African-American Assistant County Attorney in Miami . Since 1977, he has been in private practice, specializing in personal injury, wrongful death and criminal defense. Professor Smith has served the profession extensively throughout his career; he has been a member or chair of the National Bar Association, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, the Florida Sentencing Guidelines Commission, the Black Lawyers’ Association of Dade County, the NAACP Executive Committee, Miami-Dade Branch, and the Board of Directors for Legal Services of Greater Miami. He is the recipient of countless professional honors and awards, including the Leadership and Service Award, Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association, the Community Service Award, Metro Miami Action Plan Trust (2002), and Chairman’s Award, Eleventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America and Leading American Attorneys. Professor Smith earned his B.A. at Florida A & M University , and his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law