In grateful appreciation for our friend and supporter Mary Gardiner Evertz
Former Florida Bar Foundation board member Mary Gardiner Evertz passed away on December 5, 2020. Evertz was a public member of the Foundation’s board from 2012 to 2018 and served on its Finance and Audit Committee, Development Committee and Law Student Assistance Grant Committee. After her retirement from the newspaper now known as the Tampa […]
Continue reading10 Ways Leaders can Encourage Others to Take a Pro Bono Case
Courtesy of Hon. Catherine Peek McEwen, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. Judge McEwen shared her 10 ways to encourage others to take a pro bono case at The Florida Bar Foundation’s 2020 Virtual Award Ceremony. What more can leaders who promote pro bono service do that is new and different to […]
Continue readingNovember 2020 Board Meeting Report
Quarterly Board Report November 6, 2020 Via virtual meeting The Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors met via Zoom conference on November 6, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The major actions of the board and reports received included: IOTA Enhancement Committee reports proposed amendment that would increase IOTA revenues Joseph Hudgins, chair of the […]
Continue readingFoundation revives One Campaign to encourage pro bono work
The Florida Bar Foundation has revived its One Campaign to encourage Florida lawyers to represent at least one person who could not otherwise afford a lawyer in a civil legal matter. This is commonly referred to as “taking a pro bono case.” The new effort will be called the One Promise Campaign. Tallahassee media consultant […]
Continue readingDr. Mimi Graham receives 2020 Medal of Honor Award for a Non-Lawyer
Dr. Mimi Graham, director of Florida State University’s Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy, has been honored with the 2020 Medal of Honor for a Non-Lawyer for her dedicated efforts over the course of her career researching and promoting trauma-informed court programs. Since 1993, she has worked to tackle policy solutions to social problems […]
Continue readingEJW Fellow advocates for the future of human trafficking survivors
By Deana Alegi Victoria Sexton, a 2019-21 Equal Justice Works Fellow funded by the Foundation, provides civil legal aid and advocates for the rights of human trafficking survivors in Broward County. Sexton’s goals are to assist as many survivors as possible and raise awareness of her fellowship and the effect that civil legal aid can […]
Continue readingMessage from the President – Fall 2020
The American legal system is one of humanity’s greatest achievements. But the system can be too complicated to navigate without legal assistance. Lawyers in the private bar are too often beyond the financial reach of too many Floridians. Low-income and impoverished Floridians can sometimes obtain help from legal aid programs or pro bono attorneys, but […]
Continue readingFoundation awards $1.45 million in coronavirus relief grants
The Florida Bar Foundation has awarded $1,454,993 in grants to 24 legal aid organizations for COVID-19 relief efforts. “There is an urgent need for legal services arising from the pandemic and the resulting economic downturn,” Foundation President Stephen R. Senn said. “Many Floridians are finding themselves newly out of work or at risk of eviction, […]
Continue readingJudges Fay, King receive Medal of Honor Award for a Lawyer
The Honorable Peter T. Fay and the Honorable James Lawrence King have received The Florida Bar Foundation’s 2020 Medal of Honor Award for a Lawyer, the Foundation’s highest honor. Fay, a senior U.S. circuit judge of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and King, a senior judge for the Southern District of Florida, were honored […]
Continue readingOp Ed: COVID-19 shows why Florida needs to fund civil legal aid
On September 22, 2020, the Tallahassee Democrat published an opinion column by Rep. Anna Eskamani calling for funding of civil legal aid through the CARES Act. “The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of Floridians facing significant civil legal issues which threaten their livelihoods, families and homes. I know this firsthand, because our legislative office […]
Continue readingSenn takes office as president of the Foundation
Lakeland lawyer Stephen R. Senn took office Sept. 16, 2020, as president of The Florida Bar Foundation, a statewide charitable organization whose mission is to provide greater access to justice. Board certified in appellate practice, Senn is a senior shareholder with Peterson & Myers, P.A., where his practice includes appeals and federal litigation, as well […]
Continue reading32 past presidents of The Florida Bar submit letter in support of Foundation
Thirty-two past presidents of The Florida Bar have submitted a letter to the Task Force on the Distribution of IOTA Funds. The letter states that the past presidents support the rule proposal jointly submitted by the Florida Civil Legal Aid Association and The Florida Bar Foundation. Read the letter.
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