Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran wrote, “Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be.” This thought describes precisely our focus and commitment to access to justice. For instance, through the Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice we have worked with and assisted a spectrum
Four Florida Bar sections have donated a combined $200,000 to The Florida Bar Foundation in 2015-16, including a $75,000 gift from the Family Law Section that is earmarked for Children’s Legal Services grants. The Business Law Section and the Appellate Practice Section each gave $50,000 and the Criminal Law Section
Brittney Carroll, 11, smiles broadly and extends her hand in greeting to welcome a visitor to her family’s Tallahassee farm, where she and her six siblings help care for a menagerie that includes dogs, cats, ponies, goats, chickens, rabbits, a donkey and a cow named Buttercream. Born prematurely and
by Nancy Kinnally To most Floridians the town of Felda in Hendry County is little more than an overlooked dot on a state map, but to five women who worked in the Moreno Farms packing house there it became their own little corner of Hell. Maria del Carmen Aguilar, one
Florida foster kids have a new ally in overcoming barriers to health care thanks to a project sponsored jointly by the international law firm of Greenberg Traurig LLP, The Florida Bar and The Florida Bar Foundation. Antoinette “Toni” Pollard is pursing the project, which began in September, as a 2015-17
by Doug Sachs The Florida Bar Leadership Academy Class II on June 27 demonstrated what being leaders is all about by making a collective $34,200 pledge to The Florida Bar Foundation, the Academy’s first such contribution. “The Foundation is the hidden gem for lawyers who want to give back and
by Doug Sachs Linda Smith, 48, her elderly mother and two teenage sons stood to lose their federally subsidized apartment after Jacksonville police found a marijuana plant on the family’s back patio, but before they would be evicted they would have their day in court. Such were the facts of
An Orlando-based U.S. District Judge presiding in the Middle District of Florida has approved a $10 million funded settlement in a case involving late-fee charges by Bank of America. As part of that settlement, the court directed a $500,000 cy pres award to The Florida Bar Foundation. Tampa attorney John
Former legal aid attorney Ericka Garcia has joined The Florida Bar Foundation staff to support local and statewide efforts to expand pro bono partnerships with bar associations, law firms, courts, law schools and legal aid organizations. As director of pro bono partnerships, Garcia will collaborate with The Florida Bar Standing
“These are the times that try men’s souls.” Immortal words uttered by Thomas Paine in 1776 seem appropriate in many respects today. For instance, as we survey the legal services landscape, it’s easy to see that demand for legal services is up and funding is down. Meanwhile, the existing service
July 8, 2015 MAITLAND, Fla. —A new statewide nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to justice through the innovative use of technology has been launched with $725,000 in funding from The Florida Bar Foundation. The Florida Justice Technology Center is made possible through the start-up funding, which was included as part
July 8, 2015 MAITLAND, Fla. — Attorney Richard Joyce stood before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman and stated his 10-year-old client’s case in the simplest terms. “I believe the court has the ability to enforce this child’s rights,” Joyce said. The child, who had been in the care of the
