News Releases

The Florida Bar will recognize 21 lawyers for their work on behalf of low-income and disadvantaged clients at a Jan. 26 ceremony at the Supreme Court of Florida. Established in 1981, The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Awards are intended to encourage lawyers to volunteer free legal services to the poor by recognizing those…

Irina Shabetayev has been nothing short of a hero to countless Ukrainian refuges facing unimaginable circumstances and significant challenges in relocating to the United States following the Russian invasion of their country. Recognizing the exceptional hurdles these refugees were facing, Shabetayev organized a series of pro bono community events for refugees in which attorneys and…

The Haitian Lawyers Association (HLA) is the recipient of the 2023 Voluntary Bar Association Pro Bono Award, which will be presented by Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz in a Jan. 26 ceremony streamed live by the Supreme Court of Florida. The award recognizes a Florida voluntary bar that has demonstrated a significant contribution in the delivery…

The Hon. Judge Emeritus A. Jay Cristol, of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida serving Miami, is the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Federal Judicial Service Award. The award, which honors outstanding and sustained service to the public especially as it relates to support of pro bono legal services, will be…

Timothy Allen Moran, a pro bono volunteer with Community Legal Services (CLS) for more than a decade, is the recipient of the 2023 Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award, the Supreme Court’s highest recognition of a private lawyer for pro bono service. The award will be presented by Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz in a…

Bilzin Sumberg — a Miami-based law firm that has gone above and beyond to serve its community — will receive the 2023 Law Firm Commendation from Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz at the annual Pro Bono Awards ceremony Jan. 26 at the Supreme Court of Florida. The commendation honors significant contributions in the delivery of…

The Hon. Ronald Ficarrotta, Chief Judge on the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Tampa, is the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Judicial Service Award. The award, which honors outstanding and sustained service to the public especially as it relates to support of pro bono legal services, will be presented by Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz…

Ausley McMullen — a Tallahassee-based law firm that has made pro bono service a part of every firm attorney’s responsibilities and duties — will receive the 2022 Law Firm Commendation from Chief Justice Charles T. Canady at the annual Pro Bono Awards ceremony Jan. 20 at the Supreme Court of Florida. The commendation honors significant…

Tremaine L. Hemans is the recipient of the 2022 Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Service Award. The award recognizes public service or legal aid performed by a lawyer who is 35 or younger or who has not practiced for more than five years. The award will be presented in a Jan. 20 ceremony…