HCBA Members Recognized with Florida Bar Pro Bono Service Awards
two hcBa members were recognized for their pro bono work in the florida Bar ’ s pro Bono service award ceremony held online on January 28 .
Judge Barbara twine thomas of the thirteenth Judicial circuit was presented the Distinguished Judicial service award , in recognition of her excellence and long-term service to the community .
Judge twine thomas ’ pro bono work does not limit itself to hillsborough county , but stretches across florida and into georgia and the u . s . Virgin islands , spanning nearly 45 years . over that time , Judge twine thomas often had several pro bono cases active at the same time and donated at least 100 hours of pro bono service every year . from 2001 to 2003 , while in private practice , Judge twine thomas provided pro bono services to the individuals who sought help through the hillsborough county offices of the naacp , for which she received the “ foot solider in the sands ” award at the naacp national convention in 2003 . as a judge in the juvenile division of the circuit court , Judge twine thomas also established the girls court , as well as the “ Building optimal Youth success ” or BoYs program . Both BoYs and girls programs provide a safe and encouraging space for young people involved in the delinquency system . her position as the current chair of the 13th circuit ’ s pro Bono committee additionally allows her to monitor the pro bono services being offered in our district and provide guidance to others in order to better our legal system .
The Hon . Barbara Twine Thomas
Sarah E . Kay sarah e . kay of kay family Law , pLcc additionally was awarded the florida Bar president ’ s pro Bono service award for the thirteenth circuit . Beginning in 2010 , kay has donated over 1,150 hours to pro bono cases , and generally is always involved in one active pro bono case , highlighting her dedication to the community . kay has provided pro bono legal services through Bay area Legal services Volunteer Lawyer program and has offered pro bono legal services for referrals from the council on american islamic relations tampa chapter . she also is involved in the u . s . state Department ’ s hague convention attorney network for international child abductions , which takes on cases of children who are abducted by one parent and taken to a foreign country without the other parent ’ s consent . having won many service awards including haWL ’ s pro Bono award in 2019 , haWL president ’ s award in 2015 , and Mentor of the Year by haWL in 2012 , kay continues her commitment to her volunteer work in hillsborough county . congratulations to Judge Barbara twine thomas and sarah kay on these prestigious awards !
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