13TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE DARREN D. FARFANTE TO RECEIVE DISTINGUISHED JUDICIAL SERVICE PRO BONO AWARD
Judge Darren D. Farfante
The Hon. Darren D. Farfante of the 13th Judicial Circuit serving Hillsborough County, is the recipient of the 2026 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 in a Jan. 22 ceremony streamed live by the Supreme Court of Florida.
Since his appointment to the bench in 2017, Judge Farfante has built a lasting legacy through his mentorship of fellow judges and his unwavering commitment to pro bono service, at every stage of his judicial career.
In his recent role as chair of the Pro Bono Committee of The 13th Judicial Circuit, he has tirelessly promoted and cultivated a culture of pro bono service among legal professionals. He has also served as committee co-chair for the annual 5K Pro Bono River Run, an event designed to raise awareness and support for pro bono service within the legal community. Thousands of hours are pledged due to his efforts serving as committee co-chair.
In 2022, Judge Farfante was a member of the Judges Joining Forces campaign aimed at creating pathways to justice for low-income people. He actively promotes its work, encouraging other judges within the circuit to join him in supporting and recognizing pro bono attorneys.
One of Judge Farfante’s most meaningful contributions has been his public advocacy for legal aid and pro bono services on a statewide and national stage. At a time when the future of legal aid funding remains uncertain, Judge Farfante uses his platform to highlight the incredible need our communities have for free legal services.
As a participant in the Legal Services Corporation Forum on Disaster Legal Services in Tampa, Judge Farfante underscored the urgent need for justice faced by vulnerable individuals and the communities in which they live, both of which depend entirely on legal aid and pro bono attorneys stepping up to meet these needs.
Note: Support of pro bono legal services by members of the bench is an activity that relates to improvement of the administration of justice. Accordingly, a judge may engage in activities intended to encourage attorneys to perform pro bono services, including, but not limited to participating in events to recognize attorneys who do pro bono work, establishing general procedural or scheduling accommodations for pro bono attorneys as feasible, and acting in an advisory capacity to pro bono programs.
This year’s ceremony, which also honors Individual, Circuit, Voluntary Bar, Law Firm, Young Lawyers Division, and Distinguished Federal Judicial Service pro bono efforts, takes place at the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 3:30 p.m. Watch it live on Facebook, WFSU: Gavel to Gavel and the Florida Channel.
EDITORS: Please note The Florida Bar is not an association and "Association" is not part of our name. Proper reference is "The Florida Bar." Local bar organizations are properly termed "associations."