EJW 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.
Continue readingJune 2020 Board Meeting Report
The Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors met via Zoom conference on June 18, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The major actions of the board and reports received included: Board approves FY 2020-21 budget 10.4% less than previous year’s budget. The Foundation’s FY 2020-21 Operating Budget was presented and approved by the Board. FY […]
Continue readingProposed rule and FAQ: IOTA and The Florida Bar Foundation
The Florida Bar Foundation and the Florida Civil Legal Aid Association have created and submitted a joint proposed rule to The Florida Bar Task Force on the Distribution of IOTA Funds. Read the rule. The National Legal Aid and Defender Association has written a letter in support of the proposed FBF/FCLAA rule. Read the letter. […]
Continue readingTampa lawyer Steve Salzer appointed to Foundation board
Tampa lawyer Steve Salzer has been appointed by the Florida Supreme Court to a three-year term on the board of The Florida Bar Foundation, a statewide charitable organization whose mission is to provide greater access to justice. Salzer, a Florida Bar Foundation fellow, begins his term July 1. Salzer currently serves as senior vice president, […]
Continue readingHon. Suzanne Van Wyk takes office as second vice president of Foundation
Judge Suzanne Van Wyk, an administrative law judge with the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, will take office as the second vice president of The Florida Bar Foundation on July 1, 2020. The Foundation is a statewide charitable organization whose mission is to provide greater access to justice. Previously, Van Wyk was a shareholder with […]
Continue readingTampa lawyer Kevin McCoy reappointed to Florida Bar Foundation board
Tampa lawyer Kevin McCoy has been reappointed by The Florida Bar Foundation to a three-year term on its board of directors. The Foundation is a statewide charitable organization whose mission is to provide greater access to justice. McCoy is a shareholder with Carlton Fields where his areas of focus range from cannabis law, class actions, […]
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