Retired lawyers, law professors now eligible to take pro bono cases
Understanding the importance of helping those who cannot afford a lawyer, Lawrence “Larry” Moncrief began pro bono work when he was a corporate lawyer in the ‘80s. Though he retired in 1991, Moncrief’s legal career was far from over. In fact, he still had decades of pro bono work left to do. Now, at 91, […]
Continue reading
Message from the President – Winter 2019
As I write this, I am halfway through my term as the Foundation’s president. The past six months have passed quickly, and I’ve had the pleasure of working with our illustrious board and dedicated staff diligently on several matters. This has been an exciting time, and I am pleased to report on the following: The […]
Continue reading
Innocence Project of Florida sees three men freed in one year
After spending a combined 76 years incarcerated, three Florida men regained their freedom with the help of Innocence Project of Florida (IPF). Dean McKee, Dwight Dubose and Jules Letemps were released recently. IPF receives the majority of its funding from The Florida Bar Foundation, which awarded it $380,000 through an Improvement in the Administration of […]
Continue reading
Lawyers travel to Florida Keys on Justice Bus for hurricane clinic
More than a year after Hurricane Irma ravaged the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm, many low-income Keys residents continue to struggle with hurricane-related and other legal issues that have impacted their economic stability. In December, pro bono volunteers from Akerman LLP and Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. (LSGMI) boarded the Justice Bus […]
Continue reading
Residential eviction mediation pilot launches in Pinellas
In an effort to make it easier for landlords and their tenants to resolve disputes without the tenant being evicted, the 6th Judicial Circuit launched a six-month pilot program to encourage mediation in January. Funding for the effort will come from a 2019 Community Economic Development grant from the Foundation to Community Law Program, whose […]
Continue reading
Foundation funds disaster recovery grant in wake of Hurricane Michael
In November, the Foundation allocated $50,000 for a disaster relief grant for Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF). Eleven of the 16 counties LSNF serves throughout the Panhandle were impacted by Hurricane Michael in October and federally declared disaster areas. LSNF also applied for a Legal Services Corporation (LSC) disaster relief grant in the amount […]
Continue reading
Community Champions program recognizes banks that go above and beyond
In December, the Foundation introduced a recognition program for participating banking institutions that go above and beyond the IOTA rule requirements of Florida’s Interest on Trust Accounts (IOTA) Program. These “Community Champions” are committed to ensuring the success of the IOTA program and the mission of the Foundation by fostering a partnership to enhance and […]
Continue reading
Stock as a charitable donation
Have you considered appreciated securities or stock as a charitable donation? Donations to The Florida Bar Foundation may be deducted on your federal income tax return as an itemized deduction. And, donors may escape the unrealized gains on the donated stock. Donors can send unendorsed stock certificates by registered mail or instruct their broker to […]
Continue reading
Program connects pro bono lawyers to board-certified lawyers for advice
Certified Lawyers on Call (CLOC) is a new resource created through a partnership between the Board of Legal Specialization and Education (BLSE) and The Florida Bar Foundation’s pro bono program. CLOC connects pro bono and legal aid staff lawyers to Florida Bar board-certified lawyers who will volunteer their time to advise in their area of […]
Continue reading
Foundation awards $6.4 million in Community Economic Development grants
The Florida Bar Foundation board on Dec. 7 approved $6.4 million in grants to 28 legal aid providers to address community economic development. Following a $16.65 billion settlement agreement between Bank of America (BOA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2014, BOA agreed to resolve federal and state claims by making donations to state-based […]
Continue reading
New platform matches Florida law students, lawyers on pro bono cases
The Foundation launched the Florida Pro Bono Law School Challenge on Jan. 7. Using an online platform to match students with alumni mentors, Florida’s 12 law schools will compete to see which can take the most pro bono cases during the spring semester. “A core part of the Foundation’s mission is to promote public service […]
Continue reading
Florida Justice Institute case forces change in prison health care policy
When the pain began, Archie Green knew he needed to see a medical professional. Though the 40-year-old man was a prisoner of the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC), he still expected to receive some kind of treatment for increasingly distressing symptoms. Feeling a knot bulging from his groin, Green asked for an appointment with the […]
Continue reading
