F E A T U R E A R T I C L E b y A n t i n a M o b l e y – T h i r t e e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t P u b l i c D e f e n d e r ’ s O f f i c e
thethirteenthJudicialcircuit17thannual ProBonoServiceawards
“ weoweahigherdutythantheaveragecitizen , andoneoftheseistheassurance thatlegalservicesandjusticeareavailabletoall .” — williamreeceSmith , Jr .
William Reece Smith , Jr ., former president of the HCBA , The Florida Bar , the American Bar Association , and the International Bar Association once stated , “ As members of the legal profession and as members of a learned profession , we owe a higher duty than the average citizen , and one of these is the assurance that legal services and justice are available to all .”
On April 24 , 2024 , the Thirteenth Circuit Pro Bono Committee recognized our 2023 pro bono warriors at the 17th Annual Pro Bono Awards , organized by Awards Committee Co-Chairmen Tori Simmons and Antina Mobley , along with Committee Administrator Nery Alonso . Hosted by the Pro Bono Committee and the Voluntary Lawyers Program of Bay Area Legal Services , the ceremony was held at the Chester H . Ferguson Law Center . Platinum Presenting Sponsor Hill Ward Henderson presented the program , which recognized those who embody Smith ’ s words by selflessly providing pro bono legal services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community .
Individuals providing anywhere from 20 to 100 or more hours of pro bono service were recognized with pro bono lapel pins . Additionally , the Pro Bono Committee , with Judge Darren Farfante – Chairman , and Judge Wendy DePaul – Vice-Chairman at the helm , bestowed special awards before a distinguished audience including legal professionals , guests , and judges from the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit , Second DCA and the U . S . Middle District of Florida . The winners listed below garnered the awards for outstanding pro bono service in the following categories : paralegal , organization , young lawyer , lawyer , law firm , and the Jimmy Kynes Pro Bono Service Award . This year there was also a special recognition . continuedonpage27
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