Member Spotlight Julie H . Littky-Rubin
by Nichole Segal
Julie Littky-Rubin is a Board Certified Appellate Attorney and Partner at Clark Fountain La Vista Prather & Littky-Rubin . She handles all types of civil appeals and provides trial support both inside and outside the firm .
As a product of Palm Beach County public schools , and a huge believer that public education is society ’ s great equalizer , Julie began volunteering as a mentor and debate judge in the schools , even before she had children . When her now college-age children were little , she combined her passion for public education with her desire to be involved with them , even as a full-time working mom . At one point she even served as the co-president of the Timber Trace Elementary School PTA .
However , it was when Julie ’ s oldest child entered William T . Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens , that her passion , volunteer spirit , love for the underdog , and skills as a lawyer intersected . Dwyer , which was built in 1991 and had outstanding teachers and programs , appeared “ physically ” archaic compared to the brand new high schools just 2 miles to its north and south , that had been equipped with all the latest and greatest in technology and facilities . After urging the School District to repair the school ’ s aging air conditioner in 2013 , Julie and another parent decided Dwyer needed some TLC and support , and in 2014 , the “ We Are Dwyer ” Foundation was officially born . To this day , long after both of her children have graduated , Julie still devotes a great deal of time and effort to Dwyer through its Foundation , still serving as its one and only Chair .
The Foundation originally began with a three pronged initiative , focused on fine arts , capital improvements , and educational enhancements . Since then , the Foundation has evolved , and Julie has helped “ We Are Dwyer ” bring together its multiple interests in an already vibrant and diverse school community , raising money , working towards racial equity , and partnering with the Administration to ensure that the incredible “ heart ” of Dwyer ’ s shines through its aging physical facility .
The Foundation has refurbished the school ’ s piano lab , created a “ Leave a Legacy ” paver walkway in the front of the school , purchased cases to display student art , funded the school ’ s after school drama club for three years ( and finally helped convince the administration to bring a full time theater program to the school ), sponsored ACT / SAT boot camps , has underwritten luncheons to promote teacher bonding , and provided pizza to entice those in need of after school tutoring to come . Her firm has also endowed a scholarship , “ Panthers Park Your Phone ,” given to the senior with the best idea for helping to curb texting and driving .
According to Julie , what makes her proudest about the “ We Are Dwyer ” Foundation , is the sense of community it has brought to Dwyer , bringing together students , parents , staff , administration , alumni and community leaders , focused on the common goal of improving the lives and futures of Dwyer ’ s students . She sends out weekly emails to the Dwyer community , hoping both to inform and inspire . Many people have given generously both with their time and financially , and she smiles thinking that in some small way , the Foundation has helped to enrich the Dwyer High School community .
Last year , the We Are Dwyer Foundation undertook its most important effort to date : a $ 500,000 overhaul of its outdated 29 year old Media Center , to transform the space into a state of the art college , career and student life center , chock filled with what other schools have ; e . g ., technology , student collaboration and maker rooms , a coffee bar , guidance conference areas for college and financial aid counseling , wellness activities , areas for speakers and programs to expose students to much needed vocations like construction , electrical work , plumbing etc ., and comfy furniture for reading and studying .
With the support of their devoted School Board representative , Barbara McQuinn , the Foundation was poised to pitch the School Board for major funds at the March 18 , 2020 meeting , just as Covid-19 was bringing the world to its knees . Since then , the Foundation has been waiting to re-engage the District about this important project , continuing with its own share of the fundraising efforts . Julie and her team will not rest until the City issues the C / O on the new space !
For more information about or to donate to the We Are Dwyer Foundation , visit www . WeAreDwyerFoundation . org .
If you know a member who should be featured , please let us know by emailing memberhighlights @ palmbeachbar . org
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