Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Wins GPSSFs 2011 L. Michael Roffino Pro Bono Award
The General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 L. Michael Roffino Pro Bono Award.
The General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section’s L. Michael Roffino Pro Bono Award was established in 1990 to be awarded on an annual basis in recognition of outstanding service and significant accomplishments by non-profit organizations which provide pro bono legal aid to the indigent.
Each fall the Section, working with the Florida Pro Bono Coordinators Association, accepts nominations of organizations that are providing innovative programs designed to deliver legal services to those who could not otherwise obtain legal help. The Section selects three winners and awards a $3,000 grant to the overall winner and a $1,000 grant to each of the two runners-up. In the past these grants have been used by these worthy pro bono organizations to acquire computers and software, to conduct legal clinics, to recruit and train volunteer lawyers, to create and produce forms, manuals and video tapes and to otherwise serve the legal needs of Florida’s poor who are in need of legal assistance.
This year’s winner is Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, which is being recognized for creating its “Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership,” a network of medical and legal providers who identify and resolve legal issues that are barriers to the good health and well-being of low-income persons. The two runners-up are Community Legal Services of Mid–Florida, Inc. and Put Something Back.
The Section is pleased to announce that since the inception of this award, the Section has awarded a total of $104,500 to 22 different winners and runners-up. The Section encourages every pro bono and voluntary bar organization to apply every year so that the Bar can recognize the outstanding efforts of Florida’s selfless pro bono and voluntary bar organizations.
Frank and Jerry present the winner's check to Kathy Para of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Runner-up Lena Smith of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida,Inc. poses with Frank and Jerry.
- Frank and Jerry present a runner-up check to Bruce Levine of Put Something Back.
