This column typically is dedicated to a preview of the year ’ s events for the South County Division . As I wrote last month , however , the events we typically put on in the winter and spring , including an event at Venice Wine and Coffee , and the Sporting Clays event at Knights Trail Park are cancelled for this year . We hope to stage events later in the season as the vaccinations become widely available and it becomes safe to gather in person . I want to thank the 2020 – 2021 South County Division Board for their commitment to the organization and their creativity during this year .
As I said during the judicial town hall , I wanted to thank the judiciary for continuing to provide access to the courts during 2020 . We said goodbye to Circuit Court Judge Maria Ruhl and her judicial assistant , Kaitlyn Averso as well as County Court Judge Dana Moss and thank them for their service to South County . At the same time , we welcome Circuit Court Judge Hunter Carroll , his judicial assistant , Olivia Tarantino , and County Court Judge David Denkin . The South County Division is excited to have them here in Venice as we begin the re-opening process and beginning opening the new courthouse .
Valentine ’ s Day is approaching and although associated primarily with love , that was not the case until Geoffrey Chaucer ’ s Parliament of Fowls made that association . Upon that foundation ,
SOUTH COUNTY DIVISION
No language but Latin
SOUTH COUNTY PRESIDENT ’ S COLUMN
Anthony G . Mowry , Esq . Mowry Law Office
SCD Board of Directors 2020 – 2021
President Anthony Mowry
President-Elect Patrick Reilly
Treasurer Erin Itts
Secretary AJ Stickley
Immediate Past President Bryan Kessler
This issue is one we will have to conquer together by adhering to safety protocols and foregoing group events for the time being .
I decided to look up other wisdoms of Chaucer that might be applicable in these times . I sincerely hope that we can get together in person this year because , per Chaucer , “ Forbid Us Something and That Thing we Desire .” When we do get together , this quote seems appropriate : “ And once he had got really drunk on wine , Then he would speak no language but Latin .” ( Because we are lawyers ).
Chaucer ’ s view on the pandemic of his time was moralistic and , in keeping with the prevailing views of the time , he seemed to believe that there was a causal relationship between sinfulness and the plague . That was not true then and it is not true of the current pandemic . This issue is one we will have to conquer together by adhering to safety protocols and foregoing group events for the time being . Therefore , despite my desire to stage events , I support the current plan . Nevertheless , I look forward to when we can get together as a legal community again and “ speak no language but Latin .”
DIRECTORS Lance Ball Dawn Marie Bates-Buchanan Mark Creech Jacqulyn Mack-Majka Kayla Tipple
PRO BONO
Get involved with Legal Aid of Manasota !
By LINDA HARRADINE , Esq . Legal Aid of Manasota
Thirty years ago , Legal Aid of
Manasota (“ LAMS ”) was established as a joint effort by the Sarasota County Bar Association and the Manatee County Bar Association to operate pro bono programs within Sarasota and Manatee counties . Since that time LAMS has been the designated administrative agency for pro bono ; serving the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community .
One of the questions we are often asked is why it so important to report pro bono time directly through LAMS . As the administrative agency for pro bono service LAMS is required to track and report pro bono cases , activities , and hours on both the local and statewide level . This information is provided to funders , the Pro Bono Circuit Committee , and the Florida Supreme Court . In addition , the generous pro bono time provided by local attorneys is sometimes used to help leverage additional funding and resources for LAMS which in turn increases the number of clients we can assist .
Most attorneys are familiar with traditional pro bono service through Legal Aid of Manasota . It starts by registering as a volunteer and identifying your areas of interest . This is followed by a call from our Pro Bono Coordinator , Pam Fields , who will then match your skill set with a client in need . However , this is not the only way to provide pro bono services . If you are an attorney who is providing pro bono services on your own to low-income clients , LAMS can work with you to get “ credit ” for the work you are currently doing . We encourage attorneys to reach out to Pam Fields directly so we can accurately report all of the good work being done in our community . By doing so you will also be supporting LAMS ’ mission of providing equal access to justice .
See LEGAL AID , Page 17
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