Each year, the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar honor and recognize lawyers, groups and members of the judiciary who have freely given their time and expertise in ensuring access to justice for those who otherwise could not afford it.
The 2025 awards will be presented January 16 at the Supreme Court of Florida. The ceremony will be livestreamed on The Florida Channel.
Nomination Process
Honorees for the annual pro bono awards can be nominated by legal aid groups, fellow lawyers or anyone else who knows of exceptional pro bono service provided by a lawyer, judge, voluntary bar or law firm. For circuit awards, honorees are recommended by circuit committees and approved by The Florida Bar president. A committee of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of The Florida Bar chooses the YLD honoree. The Chief Justice’s Pro Bono Advisory Committee recommends the remaining honorees to the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court, who makes the final decision.
Pro Bono Service Award Recipients and Categories
Presented by the chief justice to a lawyer to recognize extraordinary contributions in ensuring the availability of legal services to the poor. Named for the late Miami civil rights lawyer Tobias Simon, the award represents the Supreme Court’s highest recognition of a private lawyer for pro bono service. All current recipients of The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Awards are considered for this prestigious award, as are direct nominees who have demonstrated exemplary pro bono service over the course of their careers.
Tobias Simon Award Past Recipients
| 2024 | Jamie Billotte Moses | Orlando |
| 2023 | Timothy Allen Moran | Oviedo |
| 2022 | Raymond F. Brady | Gainesville |
| 2021 | Anthony C. Musto | Hallandale Beach |
| 2020 | Mary Ann Etzler | Orlando |
| 2019 | Patricia A. Redmond | Miami |
| 2018 | Stephen M. Todd | Tampa |
| 2017 | Mark Olive | Tallahassee |
| 2016 | Bruce B. Blackwell | Winter Park |
| 2015 | John W. Kozyak | Miami |
| 2014 | Karen Meyer Buesing | Tampa |
| 2013 | Jeanne Trudeau Tate | Tampa |
| 2012 | Rosemary E. Armstrong | Tampa |
| 2011 | Robert G. Kerrigan | Pensacola |
| 2010 | Robert C. Josefsberg | Miami |
| 2009 | Russell E. Carlisle | Fort Lauderdale |
| 2008 | Sylvia Hardaway Walbolt | Tampa |
| 2007 | Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte | Tallahassee |
| 2006 | Katherine Warthen Ezell | Miami |
| 2005 | James M. Vanderplas | Indian Rocks Beach |
| 2004 | Edward M. Waller Jr. | Tampa |
| 2003 | Jacqueline Marie Valdespino | Miami |
| 2002 | Maurice Wagner | Deltona |
| 2001 | Gerald Israel Kornreich | Miami |
| 2000 | Victor Manuel Diaz Jr. | Miami |
| 1999 | Daniel Frederick Wilensky | Jacksonville |
| 1998 | Vance Edwin Salter | Miami |
| 1997 | James M. Russ | Orlando |
| 1996 | Richard Craig Milstein | Miami |
| 1995 | Leon Blakely Cheek III | Fern Park |
| 1994 | Allan Howard Terl | Fort Lauderdale |
| 1993 | Nancy S. Palmer | Maitland |
| 1992 | Steven Mark Goldstein | Tallahassee |
| 1991 | Alexandra delaVergne St. Paul | Bradenton |
| 1990 | Howard W. Dixon | Miami |
| 1989 | Herbert Lee Allen Jr. | Orlando |
| 1988 | Jean Gillespie Booher | Fort Lauderdale |
| 1987 | Steven Lauren Seliger | Quincy |
| 1986 | Roderick Norman Petrey | Miami |
| 1985 | William J. Sheppard | Jacksonville |
| 1984 | Neil Chonin | Coral Gables |
| 1983 | Philip John Padovano | Tallahassee |
| 1982 | Ira J. Kurzban | Miami |
This award is given to an outstanding attorney for each of the state’s 20 judicial circuits and to an outstanding attorney among the out-of-state Florida Bar members.
Recipients of the 2023 President’s Awards follow. See an index of President’s Pro Bono Service Award Recipients by Year dating back to 1982.
2024 President's Pro Bono Award Recipients
| Kendra LaNata Condon | 1st Judicial Circuit (Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties) |
| Ryland Terry Rigsby | 2nd Judicial Circuit (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties) |
| Elika Otoya Stimpson | 3rd Judicial Circuit (Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties) |
| F. Susannah Collins | 4th Judicial Circuit (Clay, Duval and Nassau counties) |
| M. Taylor Tremel | 5th Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties) |
| Kit Van Pelt | 6th Judicial Circuit (Pasco and Pinellas counties) |
| Donato J. Rinaldi | 7th Judicial Circuit (St. Johns, Volusia, Flagler and Putnam counties) |
| Amy Milford Abernethy | 8th Judicial Circuit (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties) |
| Dorothy J. McMichen | 9th Judicial Circuit (Orange and Osceola counties) |
| Grant Lyons | 10th Judicial Circuit (Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties) |
| Alvin D. Lodish | 11th Judicial Circuit (Dade County) |
| Neil T. Lyons | 12th Judicial Circuit (DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties) |
| Gilbert M. Singer | 13th Judicial Circuit (Hillsborough County) |
| Todd Clifford Brister | 14th Judicial Circuit (Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties) |
| Matthew Zimmerman | 15th Judicial Circuit (Palm Beach County) |
| Tom Woods | 16th Judicial Circuit (Monroe County) |
| Jonathan W. Taylor | 17th Judicial Circuit (Broward County) |
| Eric C. Boughman | 18th Judicial Circuit (Brevard and Seminole counties) |
| Jessica M. VanValkenburgh | 19th Judicial Circuit (Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties) |
| Andrea Smith | 20th Judicial Circuit (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties) |
| Blake Lynne Bruce | (Out of state) |
Presented by the chief justice, this 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 of them, especially as it relates to the support of pro bono legal services.
Distinguished Federal Judicial Service Award Past Recipients
| 2024 | Hon. Beth Bloom and Hon. Robin L. Rosenberg, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida |
| 2023 | Hon. Judge Emeritus A. Jay Cristol, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida |
| 2022 | Hon. Marcia Morales, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida |
| 2021 | Hon. Virginia M. Hernandez Covington, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida |
| 2020 | Hon. Karen Sue Jennemann, U.S. Bankruptcy judge, Middle District of Florida |
| 2019 | Hon. Roy B. Dalton Jr. |
| 2018 | Hon. Patricia Seitz, Miami |
| 2017 | Hon. Laurel Myerson Isicoff, Miami |
| 2016 | Hon. Catherine Peek McEwen, Tampa |
Presented by the chief justice, this award is given for outstanding and sustained service to the public, especially as it relates to support of pro bono legal services.
Distinguished Judicial Service Award Past Recipients
| 2024 | Hon. Bertila Soto, 11th Judicial Circuit Court |
| 2023 | Hon. Ronald Ficarrotta, Chief Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit Court |
| 2022 | Hon. Bonnie J. Helms, 16th Judicial Circuit |
| 2021 | Hon. Barbara Twine Thomas, 13th Judicial Circuit Criminal Division |
| 2020 | Hon. Lisa Davidson, 18th Judicial Circuit |
| 2019 | Hon. Nina Ashenafi-Richardson |
| 2018 | Hon. Vance E. Salter, Miami |
| 2017 | Hon. Virginia Baker Norton, Jacksonville |
| 2016 | Hon. Cynthia L. Cox, Vero Beach |
| 2015 | Hon. Ashley B. Moody, Tampa |
| 2014 | Hon. Emily A. Peacock, Tampa |
| 2013 | Hon. Claudia Rickert Isom, Tampa |
| 2012 | Hon. James M. Barton II, Tampa |
| 2011 | Hon. Susan G. Sexton, Tampa |
| 2010 | Hon. Nikki Ann Clark, Tallahassee |
| 2009 | Hon. John Robert Blue, retired, St. Petersburg |
| 2008 | Hon. Michael Francis Andrews, Clearwater |
| 2007 | Hon. Lauren L. Brodie, Naples |
| 2006 | Hon. Charles A. Francis, Tallahassee |
| 2005 | Hon. William A. Van Nortwick Jr., Tallahassee |
This statewide award, presented by the chief justice, recognizes a law firm that has demonstrated a significant contribution in the provision of pro bono legal services to individuals or groups that cannot otherwise afford the services. This award recognizes extraordinary commitment on the part of a law firm to provide access to the courts for all Floridians.
Chief Justice's Law Firm Commendation Award Past Recipients
| 2024 | Gedeon & Morales Law Group |
| 2023 | Bilzin Sumberg |
| 2022 | Ausley McMullen |
| 2021 | Novey+Gonzalez, LLC. |
| 2020 | The Starr Offices of Pinellas County |
| 2019 | Foley & Lardner LLP |
| 2018 | Hallisky & Davis |
| 2017 | Immigration Law Group of Florida, P.A. |
| 2016 | Duane Morris LLP |
| 2015 | Akerman LLP |
| 2014 | Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Prosser, P.A. |
| 2013 | Clark & Washington, P.C. |
| 2012 | Fisher, Butts, Sechrest Warner & Palmer, P.A. |
| 2011 | Foley & Lardner, LLP |
| 2010 | Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, P.A. |
| 2010 | Hunton & Williams LLP |
| 2009 | Fishback, Dominick, Bennett, Stepter, Ardaman, Ahlers, Bolton & Langley LLP |
| 2008 | City Attorney’s Office, City of Tallahassee |
| 2007 | Hogan & Hartson LLP |
| 2007 | Messer & Messer |
| 2006 | Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP |
| 2005 | Barrett & Barrett |
| 2004 | Kozyak, Tropin & Throckmorton, P.A. |
| 2003 | Carlton Fields |
| 2002 | Markowitz, Davis, Ringel & Trusty, P.A. |
| 2001 | Podhurst Orseck Josefsburg Eaton Meadow Olin & Perwin, P.A. |
| 2000 | Fisher & Sauls, P.A. |
| 1998 | Thirteenth Judicial Circuit |
| 1997 | The Broward County Attorney’s Office, Office of the Public Defender |
| 1995 | Fowler, White, Gillen, Boggs, Villareal and Banker, P.A. |
| 1994 | Steel Hector & Davis |
| 1993 | Wooten, Honeywell & Kest, P.A. |
| 1992 | Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon |
| 1991 | Greenberg, Traurig, Hoffman, Lipoff, Rosen & Quentelo, P.A. |
| 1991 | Fine Jacobson Schwartz Nash Block & England |
| 1990 | Holland & Knight |
| 1985 | Thomson, Zeder, Bohrer, Werth, Adorno & Razook |
Presented by the chief justice, this 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 that cannot otherwise afford the services. This award also recognizes an extraordinary commitment to provide access to the courts for all Floridians.
Chief Justice's Voluntary Bar Association Award Past Recipients
| 2024 | Lake County Bar Association |
| 2023 | Haitian Lawyers Association |
| 2022 | The Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association |
| 2021 | CABA Pro Bono Legal Services |
| 2020 | Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers |
| 2019 | Young Lawyers Section of the Orange County Bar Association |
| 2018 | George Edgecomb Bar Association |
| 2017 | Jacksonville Bar Association |
| 2016 | Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association |
| 2015 | Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers |
| 2014 | Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association |
| 2013 | Tampa Bay Hispanic Bar Association |
| 2012 | St. Lucie County Bar Association |
| 2011 | Tallahassee Women Lawyers |
| 2010 | Seminole County Bar Association |
| 2009 | Dade County Bar Association |
| 2008 | Cuban American Bar Association |
| 2007 | Bankruptcy Bar Association of the Southern District of Florida |
| 2006 | Hispanic Bar Association, Stetson College of Law |
| 2005 | Clearwater Bar Association |
| 2003 | Indian River County Bar Association |
| 2002 | Jacksonville Bar Association |
| 2001 | St. Petersburg Bar Association |
| 2000 | Bankruptcy Bar Association of the Southern District of Florida |
| 1999 | Collier County Bar Association |
| 1998 | Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, Inc. |
| 1997 | Jacksonville Bar Association |
| 1996 | Counsel for Cuban Detainees |
| 1995 | Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association |
| 1994 | The Legal Aid Foundation of the Tallahassee Bar Association, Inc. |
| 1993 | Put Something Back, A Joint Project of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit and Dade County Bar Association |
| 1992 | Orange County Bar Association |
| 1991 | Hillsborough County Bar Association |
With more than 26,000 members, the Young Lawyers Division includes all lawyers in good standing under age 36 and all new Florida Bar members of any age for their first five years in practice. The award is given to the division member who best exemplifies the highest ideals of public service.
Young Lawyers Division Service Award Past Recipients
| 2024 | Michaèl’s Déborah Saint-Vil | Miami |
| 2023 | Irina Shabetayev | Fort Lauderdale |
| 2022 | Tremaine L. Hemans | Miami |
| 2021 | Fay Olga Pappas | Winter Park |
| 2020 | Belkis Plata | Jacksonville |
| 2019 | Tori Simmons | Tampa |
| 2018 | Allison M. Stocker | Jacksonville |
| 2017 | Jennifer Edwards | Largo |
| 2016 | Elisa J. D’Amico | Miami |
| 2015 | Sara Alpert | Tampa |
| 2014 | Laura E. Ward | Tampa |
| 2013 | Rebecca Lauren Sosa | Miami |
| 2012 | Timothy Allen Moran | Oviedo |
| 2011 | Rachel May Zysk | Tampa |
| 2010 | Monica Miller Evans | Tallahassee |
| 2009 | Carin Manders Constantine | St. Petersburg |
| 2008 | Heather Pinder Rodriguez | Orlando |
| 2007 | Mac Richard McCoy | Tampa |
| 2006 | Joseph F. Summonte Jr. | Sarasota |
| 2005 | Melanie Emmons Damian | Miami |
| 2004 | Thomas Alan Zehnder | Orlando |
| 2003 | Laurel Francis Moore | Tampa |
| 2002 | Lawrence Howard Kolin | Orlando |
| 2001 | Jacqueline Hogan Scola | Miami |
| 2000 | Steven H. Malone | West Palm Beach |
| 1999 | Scott Edmonds Ray | Miami |
| 1998 | Karen Josefsberg Ladis | Miami |
| 1997 | Michelle Anchors | Tallahasssee |
| 1996 | Robert Lowery Hamilton | Orlando |
| 1995 | Cheryl Ada Elizabeth Little | Miami |
| 1994 | A. Bryant Applegate | Orlando |
| 1993 | Robert Alan Williams | Tallahassee |