Members of The Florida Bar donate millions of hours and dollars annually to help people with civil legal matters who cannot afford a lawyer.
The annual pro bono service awards recognize the contributions of attorneys, law firms and associations as well as judges that have served the public offering free services.
Nominations are invited from legal aid groups, civic organizations, lawyers and the public who know of an attorney, judge, law firm or voluntary Bar association that has freely given of time and expertise to make volunteer legal services. The deadline is 5 p.m. Oct. 8.
Nomination forms are available at floridabar.org/public/probono/serviceawards/ for several award categories:
• The Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award is presented by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court to a lawyer to recognize contributions in ensuring the availability of legal services to the poor.
• The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award is presented to an attorney in each of the state’s 20 judicial circuits and to an attorney among the out-of-state Florida Bar members.
• The Law Firm Commendation recognizes a law firm that has demonstrated a significant contribution in the provision of pro bono legal services to individuals or groups.
• The Voluntary Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award recognizes a voluntary Bar association that has demonstrated a significant contribution in the delivery of legal services on a pro bono basis to individuals or groups.
• The Distinguished Judicial Service Award recognizes outstanding and sustained service to the public as it relates to support of pro bono legal services.
• The Distinguished Federal Judicial Service Award recognizes an active or retired federal judge for outstanding and sustained service to the public, whether through legal or civic service or a combination as it relates to the support of pro bono legal services.
The awards ceremony will be Jan. 20 at the state Supreme Court in Tallahassee.