John Patterson

Since Speaking of Justice was launched in 2009, it has always carried stories of the work of our grantees, and it will continue to do so.

But with all of the change 2013 is bringing to The Florida Bar Foundation, and with so much generosity of time, talent and financial support to note, we are filling this issue with stories about the people whose efforts enable the Foundation to do its work so effectively.

Among those whose contributions we celebrate, even while we mourn his loss, is Arthur England, who passed away Aug. 1. Arthur, who as a justice of the Florida Supreme Court helped launch the nation’s first Interest on Trust Accounts Program, was honored at the Foundation’s annual dinner June 27 with the IOTA Founder’s Award. Without him, the Foundation certainly would never have been able to provide more than $400 million in funding since 1982, the first year IOTA revenue was distributed as grant funding to legal aid organizations statewide. We are so glad to have had the opportunity to honor him.

Also celebrated at the dinner was Paul Doyle, who retired June 30 after 22 years as director of the Foundation’s Legal Assistance for the Poor and Law Student Assistance grant programs. Paul’s leadership has shaped Florida’s legal services delivery system into one of the strongest and most effective in the nation. And while it is hard to imagine the Foundation without him, we are so pleased to welcome Melissa Pershing as his successor. Melissa comes to us with extensive experience in legal services and nonprofit management, as well as a broad knowledge of Florida’s legal services landscape.

The contributions of these individuals are immeasurable, but the Foundation still could not fulfill its mission without the support of Florida lawyers. Bob Josefsberg, this year’s Medal of Honor Award recipient, has a record of pro bono service few could ever match, but he is one of thousands whose volunteer work for Floridians in need is essential to expanding access to justice in our state. Also vital is the financial support the Foundation receives from individual Bar members, as well as Bar sections and divisions, including the Young Lawyers Division, which recently provided its second consecutive $100,000 donation to the Foundation. The YLD also held a social media campaign in July that provided an additional donation of more than $2,000.

For the Foundation, I would like to thank the YLD, all of the Bar sections and divisions who have supported the Foundation, and all my fellow Bar members whose ongoing support is so important.

John Patterson
President, 2013-14