In addition to coordinating , administering , and implementing the Circuit Pro Bono Plan , the PBCC submits an annual report to The Florida Bar Standing Committee on Pro Bono and to the chief judge regarding the status , activities and results of pro bono programs and projects .
So , back to where we started …. Why does Pam Fields keep calling ?
If you handle any pro bono work for Legal Aid of Manasota then you know Pam Fields , Esq ., our pro bono coordinator . Her primary role is to match our clients with a pro bono attorney . Although this is certainly not the easiest thing to do , she does an excellent job !
However , in addition to placing pro bono cases with attorneys , she is also tasked with collecting pro bono hours for the 12th Judicial Circuit . It has come to our attention that this has been a source of confusion for many people . Therefore , we thought it might be helpful to do a simple FAQ .
What does it mean that Legal Aid of Manasota is the administrative agency for pro bono in Sarasota and Manatee Counties ?
The Florida Supreme Court requires that each circuit develop a plan to provide pro bono legal services to the indigent population in that circuit , see In Re : Amendments to the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar , 598 So . 2d 41 ( Fla . 1992 ). In our circuit , Legal Aid of Manasota is the designated administrative agency of the pro bono programs for Sarasota and Manatee counties .
What are the duties of Legal Aid of Manasota as the administrative agency for pro bono ?
As the administrative agency for pro bono , Legal Aid must implement and operate the Circuit Pro Bono Plan within Sarasota and Manatee counties and is designated to provide all necessary coordination and administrative support for the pro bono circuit committee .
What is the Pro Bono Circuit Committee ( PBCC )?
Rule 4-6.5 ( c ) of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar requires the establishment of a circuit pro bono committee in each of the judicial circuits of Florida to be appointed and convened by the chief judge of each circuit court , or the chief judge ’ s designee . Judge Kevin Bruning is the chair of the 12th Judicial Circuit .
As the pro bono coordinator for Legal Aid of Manasota , Pam is tasked with collecting ALL pro bono time in Sarasota and Manatee Counties . This information is then reported on the annual report to the pro bono circuit committee , The Florida Bar Standing Committee on Pro Bono , and to the chief judge .
For pro bono cases placed by Legal Aid of Manasota , we will periodically check in with the attorney to see if there are any issues we can assist with ; whether the case remains open ; or whether the case is closed and if so , the pro bono time and the case resolution .
However , there are some attorneys who are handling pro bono cases through : ( 1 ) Lutheran Services , or who have been appointed to represent indigent wards through the “ wheel ”; ( 2 ) the High Conflict Guardian ad Litem program ; or ( 3 ) possibly a pro bono case they have self-identified . Although these cases may not come directly through Legal Aid of Manasota , we are still required to track all pro bono time so that we can submit a complete and accurate report on the activities in our circuit .
Legal Aid also tracks these hours and reports annually to the Florida Supreme Court who issues letters of recognition for attorneys who donate 20 hours or more in a calendar year . In addition , nominations for both local and statewide pro bono awards are based upon the numbers in the report .
Bottom line … why is Pam calling ? Because as good as Pam is at her job , she can ’ t report what she doesn ’ t know , so I hope that you will take her calls .
And if there is still any confusion regarding pro bono reporting , please feel free to reach out to either myself , or of course , Pam . She will happily take your call !
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