S P E C I A L F E A T U R E A u t h o r : T o r i S i m m o n s – H i l l W a r d H e n d e r s o n
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for the next twenty years . In 2007 , the untimely death of her husband fundamentally changed her life . Looking for a distraction from the pain of that loss , Ms . Hinds began volunteering as a Guardian ad Litem ( GAL ). Initially intimidated by the realities of representing real people with very real problems , Ms . Hinds quickly found her inspiration in the form of a GAL teenager who , despite suffering unspeakable trauma , was filled with optimism . That young girl inspired Ms . Hinds to find her own courage , resilience , and hope . Ms . Hinds continued to volunteer as a GAL and , in 2013 , took on a new role as a volunteer Attorney Ad Litem ( AAL ) for Crossroads for Florida Kids .
In 2019 , Ms . Hinds contributed 342 pro bono hours representing underserved children in Hillsborough County in dependency and delinquency proceedings . In 2019 , Ms . Hinds helped a young client who turned her life around obtain a dismissal of her criminal charges . Ms . Hinds also gave a voice to a 15-year-old client who is now placed in a loving home . Rosemary Armstrong , the founder of Crossroads for Florida Kids , says that Ms . Hinds ’ “ knowledge of juvenile law and keen legal skills , along with her ability to connect with her young clients ” make her the perfect Crossroads advocate . Ms . Hinds says that her work as a GAL and AAL have been the most rewarding of her career .
Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Young Lawyer : S . Elizabeth King
Elizabeth King is an associate in the Tampa office of
Shutts & Bowen LLP , where she practices commercial litigation . Ms . King ’ s dedication to pro bono started in law school and has continued throughout her early career . In 2019 , Ms . King donated 101.4 hours of her time to representing pro bono clients . As a volunteer on-call attorney ad litem for Crossroads for Florida Kids , Ms . King represents children who appear at delinquency proceedings without a parent or guardian . Ms . King makes sure each child understands the proceedings and that their needs and wants are expressed . Ms . King helped one young client in foster care obtain extended benefits through the extended foster care system .
Ms . King also spent significant time in 2019 representing a disabled woman in a dispute with the Social Security Administration ( SSA ). The SSA claimed the woman had been overpaid for a decade and began withholding all benefits . Ms . King was able to help her client work out a payment plan where she would continue receiving benefits with a small amount withheld for the overpayment . Without Ms . King ’ s help , this woman would not have received any of the benefits she needed .
Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Paralegal : Lance Cochran-LaFleur
Lance Cochran-LaFleur is a Florida Registered Paralegal who has provided over ten years of service to the legal profession . During that time , Mr . LaFleur has consistently donated his time to pro bono efforts . In 2019 , he donated 60 hours to pro bono legal services .
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