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
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have provided more than 5,300 pro bono hours , which includes working with the Innocence Project , Clemency Project , migrant workers , and indigent criminal appeals .
GIl SINGER ( Jimmy Kynes Pro Bono Service Award )
Throughout his forty-four years as a member of the Florida Bar , Gilbert “ Gil ” Singer has exemplified the tenet of our Oath of Admission to “ never reject … the cause of the defenseless or oppressed .” Not only has Mr . Singer contributed thousands of pro bono hours representing the indigent , but like the award ’ s namesake Jimmy Kynes , Singer has also recruited many others to become volunteer attorneys . A partner at Marcadis Singer , PA ., Gil Singer was born and raised in New York City , graduated from Emory University in Atlanta , and attended University of Miami Law School . He became a member of the Florida Bar in 1979 . He had his first pro bono experience as a third-year law student interning at Legal Services of Greater Miami when he helped defend evictions and debt collection matters . This experience was the start of Singer ’ s journey to try to improve the quality of people ’ s lives . After moving to Tampa , Singer began what was to become a long association with Bay Area Legal Services Volunteer Lawyers Program , representing clients who were referred to him and , in his words , “ protecting poor folks from debt collectors and settling or otherwise resolving cases for them , including landlord / tenant disputes .”
In 1992 , Mr . Singer began pro bono work with the Guardian ad Litem Program handling termination of parental rights cases and representing abused and neglected children . Receiving the Florida Bar President ’ s Pro Bono Service Award for the 13th Circuit in 1996 and again in 2024 , Singer has been described as “ unable to say ‘ no ’ when he feels he can be instrumental in improving the chances of an abused or neglected child .” In addition , he represented prospective adoptive parents who could not afford to hire counsel . In 2016 , Mr . Singer began serving as a pro bono attorney for
Crossroads for Florida Kids by attending hearings and staffings , frequently visiting the clients to ensure they have adequate food , shelter , clothing , attend school and therapy — as well as providing legal advice and counsel . He provided over 100 pro bono hours in 2023 . Gil Singer sees a hole in our country ’ s social safety net for the “ working poor ,” and believes that lawyers have a unique opportunity to help close the gap .
GENEROUS JURORS ( Special Recognition Award )
Jurors have always had the option to request compensation for their time if they are unemployed , not regularly employed , or employed but their employer does not pay their regular wages while they serve as jurors . Per statute , Hillsborough County jurors have the option to donate their compensation ( if not paid by their employer ) to a local charitable organization . Since 2022 , Hillsborough County jurors charitably donated more than $ 45,000 to the Spring of Tampa Bay . As of January 1 , 2024 , the donations are now directed to Guardian ad Litem ’ s non-profit called Voices for Children of Tampa Bay , which provides support to children in foster care . The Hillsborough County Clerk ’ s Office rotates the designated charity each year , pursuant to statute .
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The generosity of Platinum Presenting Sponsor Hill Ward Henderson , Gold Sponsor Carlton Fields PA , and Silver Sponsors Quarles & Brady LLP , Greenlee Law PLLC , Zuckerman Spaeder LLP , Shutts & Bowen , LLP , Foley and Lardner LLP , and Crossroads for Florida Kids , helped make this event an overwhelming success . The Thirteenth Circuit Pro Bono Committee applauds the pro bono warriors for their dedication and commitment to service . n
Author : Antina Mobley – Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Public Defender ’ s Office
interested in joining the Hcba Lawyer referral & information service ? call ( 813 ) 221-7780 or visit https :// hillsbarlrs . com / pages / for-lawyers .
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