Candidate: Tito S Smith

Palatka native, University of Florida graduate and practicing attorney, Tito Smith, believes his experience will help serve Putnam County as County Judge for Group 1. With 37 years of experience in both trial and appellate courts together with service as an arbitrator, Tito Smith is ready to step to the other side of the bench. \"I feel that I have the experience and understanding to help the people of Putnam County in the judicial system. I have primarily served the citizens of Putnam County as a lawyer in the 7th Judicial Circuit,\" Smith said. Smith, one of seven children of Kelley Smith, Sr. and Nell Smith, started his career in 1975 after graduating from the University of Florida\'s College of Law, initially joining the firm of Dowda, Hestrom & Fields. As a lifelong resident of Putnam County, Smith graduated from Palatka High School and knew he wanted to return to his roots to practice law. \"After law achool I came back to Palatka. My wife and I wanted to start a family and this is a good place to raise a family and we knew the area,\" he said. He later worked as a partner with the firm of Hedstrom & Smith, serving several years as an assistant public defender with significant criminal trial practice. \"I have had the unique opportunity to represent hundreds of Putnam County citizens and businesses in their various legal needs and have become involved from both a plaintiff\'s and a defendant\'s perspective in a wide variety of civil matters throughout the state of Florida. I\'ve seen so many situations... negligence, contract law, criminal law. As a judge you have to understand all the issues and I feel I\'m prepared for that,\" Smith said. In addition to his civil and criminal experience, Smith has also served in the past for more than twenty years as counsel for the Putnam County Sheriff\'s Department, the Putnam County Supervisor of Elections and for several years as counsel for the Putnam County Tax Collector\'s Office. Smith also served two separate, three year terms on the Florida Bar Grievance committee for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, serving twice as Chairman. Smith\'s experience as a trial attorney has given him the opportunity to also appear and argue cases before most of the District Courts of Appeal in Florida and the Florida Supreme Court. Based on his experience and professionalism, Smith was recognized by his peers when he received a AV Preeminate rating by Martindale-Hubbell. This rating is given by fellow attorneys and judges and is based on performance in five key areas, which include legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication ability and legal experience. An AV rating is the highest level of professional excellence that can be obtained. Additionally, Smith was recognized by the Palatka Sunrise Rotary Club with a Paul Harris Fellow award. Besides being an accomplished attorney, Smith has also served in various civic and community organizations including Kiwanis, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, Putnam County Economic Development Authority and the Putnam County Drug and Alcohol Council, Inc. He is a former board member of the United Way of Putnam County and Communities in Schools. He has also worked with and assisted the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity, and served on the Northeast Florida advisory board for the Attorney\'s Title Insurance Fund. Prior to being acquired by TD Bank, Smith served five years as the President of First Federal Bank. Currently, Smith is practicing as a partner/shareholder with the law firm of Rogers Towers, P.A. and continues to serve Putnam County focusing on business law, commercial litigation and estate planning. \"I am confident I can do a good job for the citizens of Puntam County,\" said Smith.