Diane Emery February 23, 2015 Info, Uncategorized

Sixth Judicial Circuit’s Pro Bono Recognition Ceremony

The Sixth Judicial Circuit’s Pro Bono committee, Chaired by the Honorable Circuit Court Judge Kimberly Todd, is proud to present an inaugural circuit wide recognition program on Friday, April 17, 2015. The ceremony will be held at the Pinellas County Justice Center, 14250 49^th Street N. in Clearwater, Courtroom One.

The purpose of the program is to recognize those who give of their time and talents towards pro bono service in a circuit wide ceremony to include the judges of the circuit as well as the community justice partners for Pinellas a & Pasco. While the bar associations do a wonderful job of having separate programs throughout the year to recognize pro bono efforts such as at the Bench & Bar or at joint luncheon meetings, this recognition ceremony would bring the circuit together to celebrate pro bono. Under the leadership of Judge Todd, the circuit’s pro bono committee began the task of pulling together its resources to establish a circuit wide recognition program where our judiciary and community partners would come together to recognize the efforts of those who work tirelessly to provide access to justice to the less fortunate of our community.

The Circuit’s Pro Bono Committee is comprised of representation from the Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and West Pasco Bar Associations as well programs such as the Clerk’s Self Help Center, Guardian Ad Litem, Teen Court, Bay Area Legal Services, Community Law Program, Gulfcoast Legal Services, just to name a few. The committee’s broad representation provides the backdrop for the bringing together of all who work in our circuit to ensure meaningful access to our courts.

The awards to be presented will include, Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Lawyer, Paralegal, Law Firm, and law student. Nominations have been solicited from the Bar Associations and our community partners. In addition, Judge Todd as Committee Chair will present a Chair’s Pro Bono Award.

Recipients of the Supreme Court Lapel pins will also be recognized during the program.

The keynote speaker will be William Schifino, Jr., Incoming President-Elect of the Florida Bar.

A reception will immediately follow the program in the first floor café. The reception is being sponsored by the Clearwater Bar Association, St. Petersburg Bar Association, and their sponsors Felice Catering, and McFarland, Gould, Lyons, Sullivan & Hogan, P.A.

All are invited to participate to honor the pillars of our community who do the good work of those in need. Please rsvp to Christine in Court Administration at 727-582-7477.

Nomination Form Instructions for the

2015 Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Awards

Deadline for Submission: February 18, 2015

Created by the Florida Supreme Court, the Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee oversees pro bono service to the poor (see Rule 4-6.1, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar) in Pinellas and Pasco County. The committee is chaired by the Hon. Kimberly Todd, Circuit Judge. The Sixth Circuit Pro Bono Committee will be recognizing those exemplary Attorneys, Law Firms, Paralegals and Law Students, who have given of their time to serve others in our community.

The Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Awards Ceremony will take place at the Pinellas County Justice Center, Courtroom 1 on April 17, 2015. Members of the state judiciary will recognize those who have provided outstanding pro bono service in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Please use the Nomination Form attached to nominate individual attorneys, a law firm, paralegal or law student that made significant contributions of pro bono service to the poor in Pinellas or Pasco County during 2014.

Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Service Awards – These awards recognize a Pinellas or Pasco County lawyer, law firm, paralegal or law student that in 2014 made significant contributions of pro bono legal services to poor individuals, or to charitable organizations whose primary purpose is to provide non-legal assistance to the poor.

NOMINATION FORM

2015 Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Awards

Awards Information and Instructions:

Please indicate the award for which a nomination will be made by placing a mark on the line preceding the named award. A separate nomination form is required for each award category and each nominee.

AWARDS: ______Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Lawyer

______Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Paralegal

______Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Law Firm

______Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Law Student

Name of Nominee:________________________________________________________________________

Firm or Organization representative:___________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip Code:_____________________________________________________________________

Office Telephone:___________________________E-mail:______________________________________

In a separate attachment, describe the nominee’s significant contribution during 2014 of pro bono services to poor individuals, or to a charitable organization whose primary purpose is to provide non-legal assistance to the poor. Pro bono service in prior years may also be mentioned. Include the following:

Estimate of total number of pro bono hours contributed in 2014; Also include an estimate of total hours contributed throughout nominee’s legal career. ( Note: an estimate of hours is acceptable for nomination purposes and nominators may not be aware of actual hours performed)
List the types of cases and/or activities handled by the nominee that are pertinent to the award (include total number of cases or individuals assisted, if possible), and describe any special pro bono projects handled/administered.
For the activities listed, provide the number of pro bono hours the nominee contributed and the months/years involved.
The total number of years the nominee has continually provided pro bono services through the activities described.
For attorney nominees: Number of years the nominee has been practicing law and principal areas of practice.
For law student nominees, please provide an estimate of the total hours provided and any pro bono related activities the nominee has participated in.
For paralegal nominees, please provide an estimate of the total hours provided and any pro bono related activities the nominee has participated in.
For law firm nominees: Describe the areas of practice, size, and geographic location.

Name of person or organization submitting nomination:

Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip Code:_________________________________________________________________________

Office Telephone:______________________________E-mail_______________________________________

Please submit your Nomination Form(s) by February 18, 2015 to: [email protected]

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