Adele I. Stone of Ft. Lauderdale took office July 1 as president of The Florida Bar Foundation, a statewide charitable organization that fosters law-related public service programs on behalf of Florida’s legal profession.

Stone has been a director on the Foundation’s board since 2000 and is a fellow of The Florida Bar Foundation.

“Through my service on the board, I serve my profession,” Stone said. “And through the mission of the Foundation, I serve my personal goal to make a positive difference to those in the community of Florida who are most in need.”

Stone said these are challenging times for all charitable organizations and the Foundation is no exception.

“However, the Foundation is committed to continuing the funding of its grantees, which provide legal access for the poor,” Stone said. “It is my hope that all of Florida’s lawyers will assist in that effort by providing pro bono service through their local legal aid programs.”

Stone is a shareholder with Atkinson, Diner, Stone, Mankuta & Ploucha, where she practices predominantly in commercial real estate, general business, and corporate fields. She has chaired The Florida Bar’s Professional Ethics Committee and is a frequent lecturer on ethics. She is also co-chair of the pro bono committee of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section.

As a member of the steering committee of Florida Attorneys Saving Homes project, Stone is actively engaged in recruiting lawyers throughout the state to handle pro bono foreclosure cases.

FASH is a joint project of The Florida Bar; The Florida Bar Foundation; Florida Legal Services; the RPPTL Section; the Business Law Section; and the Bar’s Young Lawyers Division.

Stone is this year’s recipient of the Russell E. Carlisle Advocacy Award presented by the Legal Aid Service of Broward County. She is also past president of Legal Aid Service of Broward County. Stone also has chaired the board of the Children’s Home Society of Florida, Intercoastal Division, and has served on the society’s statewide board. She currently serves as vice president of public affairs for the South Florida Chapter of NAIOP, a national commercial real estate association.

Stone’s fellow officers on The Florida Bar Foundation board are: President-elect John A. Noland; First Vice President Michele Kane Cummings; Second Vice President Maria E. Henderson; and Immediate Past President Kathleen S. McLeroy.