Weekly Update

Message from the Chair

Dear Colleagues,

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Bankruptcy Judge A. Jay Cristol, who recently turned 95 years old. Judge Cristol remains a giant in our legal community. He touched the hearts of so many people. He will be missed deeply. We do not have information regarding a memorial service but will be sure to update you as we learn more. A recent interview with Judge Cristol can be found here.

This year, Pro Bono Week takes place from October 20-26, 2024., I want to encourage all members to participate in this important annual event that highlights the critical pro bono work lawyers do to increase access to justice in our communities.

Why Pro Bono Matters

Pro bono service is a core part of our professional responsibility as lawyers. By

providing free legal assistance to those in need, we:

Ensure access to justice for vulnerable populations
Strengthen our local communities
Develop valuable skills and experience
Find personal and professional fulfillment

Get Involved

The Section has many ways to get involved and the Pro Bono Committee is happy to make suggestions. If you are looking to help beyond the Section, consider volunteering at a legal clinic or take on a pro bono case, donate to legal aid organizations, and be sure to share your pro bono experience to inspire others.

Set Pro Bono Goals

One final thing. I encourage all members to set personal pro bono goals for the coming year. Whether it's a target number of hours or cases, having clear objectives will help sustain your pro bono commitment.

Pro bono work is essential to ensuring equal justice under the law. Let's use Pro Bono Week as an opportunity to celebrate past efforts and reinvigorate our dedication to serving those in need. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in our community.

Best,

Manny

My Pro Bono Story: Hon Laurel Isicoff

I remember my first pro bono client as if it were yesterday. I remember his name, OB (it appears he may still be alive at 108 years old!), and exactly what he was wearing the first time I met him. He was probably five foot nothing, and he was wearing a suit with a vest, a cane, and a boater (a type of hat). Mr. B lived with his nephew, a Vietnam War veteran who definitely suffered from PTSD. Read on

Have a Pro Bono Sory to share? Submit it here.

Pro Bono Opportunities

ABA Pro Bono Week

September opportunities from Legal Services of Greater Miami click here

Learn more about volunteering with Stand With Us, an international non-partisan education organization that fights antisemitism.

FEMA/YLD Disaster Hotline: After a storm, The Florida Bar YLD, in conjunction with the ABA Young Lawyers Section and FEMA, works to activate the Disaster Relief Hotline. All Florida Bar members eligible to practice may volunteer to provide basic civil legal services for people who cannot otherwise afford legal representation in non-fee generating cases. After a hurricane hits, many people need simple advice about how to get their life back in order. Sign up to volunteer to answer the questions of hurricane victims on a pro bono basis.

Florida Free Legal Answers: Although attorneys are strongly cautioned against engaging in the solicitation of hurricane victims (which is prohibited by Rule 4-7.18), the Florida Free Legal Answers program offers a relatively easy way to lend your expertise. Sign up to to quickly and easily answer questions from the public. It is easy to do, takes only a couple of minutes and can mean so much to those in need.

Florida Pro Bono Matters is another way to assist Floridians via an interactive website funded by Funding Florida Legal Aid (FFLA) — both in hurricane recovery and year-round. You can view descriptions of available pro bono opportunities and indicate an interest in any of them; you then will be contacted by the posting organization with more information.

National Disaster Legal Aid Advocacy Center welcomes all advocates and volunteers from nonprofit legal aid organizations, bar associations, pro bono counsel from law firms and corporations, law school students and faculty, and allied nonprofits working on disaster legal aid. Visit the website to sign up. The website has links to a multitude of disaster relief manuals and training tools.

CLICK HERE for additional hurricane information and updates, consumer resources, how you can help, and other helpful links from The Florida Bar.