The Florida Bar

Florida Bar News

Florida’s Lawyers Champion Access to Justice for All

President of The Florida Bar Columns

'In every part of Florida, attorneys are ensuring that individuals have access to legal representation in life-altering situations — often when the stakes are at their highest'

Roland Sanchez-Medina

Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr,: “In the 2023-24 fiscal year alone, members of The Florida Bar contributed 1.7 million hours of pro bono service and a record-breaking $11.7 million to support legal aid and advocacy efforts statewide.”

Florida’s legal professionals have consistently demonstrated their unwavering commitment to ensuring that access to legal representation is not a privilege reserved for those with financial means, but a fundamental right for everyone. As we celebrate Pro Bono Week during the last week of October, it is a fitting time to reflect on the profound impact that Florida’s legal community has in providing access to justice, particularly for the most vulnerable among us.

In 1992, the Florida Supreme Court set forth an aspirational goal, encouraging all Florida lawyers to dedicate a minimum number of pro bono hours or contribute financially to legal aid organizations. This initiative was not just a call to action, but a recognition of the increasing demand for legal services among Floridians experiencing financial hardship. Over thirty years later, this need remains critical, and the importance of attorneys stepping up to meet the challenge has only intensified.

Despite the demands of managing busy practices, family responsibilities, and everyday life, Florida’s lawyers have continued to rise to the occasion. In the 2023-24 fiscal year alone, members of The Florida Bar contributed 1.7 million hours of pro bono service and a record-breaking $11.7 million to support legal aid and advocacy efforts statewide. These remarkable contributions represent the highest levels ever recorded, a powerful testament to the dedication and generosity of Florida’s legal community.

The significance of this work cannot be overstated. In every part of Florida, attorneys are ensuring that individuals have access to legal representation in life-altering situations — often when the stakes are at their highest. Whether assisting clients facing foreclosure, immigrants seeking asylum, or families navigating guardianship issues, a lawyer’s advocacy can be the decisive factor in these critical moments.

However, despite these admirable efforts, a substantial gap still exists between the need for legal services and the resources available to meet that demand. Florida is home to over 112,000 attorneys, but the number of pro bono hours donated has not kept pace with the growing need. According to the most recent data from The Florida Bar, while many attorneys actively engage in pro bono work, there is room for even more participation in this vital mission.

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, many Florida residents now find themselves in urgent need of legal assistance. To help meet this need, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, in partnership with the ABA Young Lawyers Section and FEMA, has activated its Disaster Relief Hotline, connecting volunteer attorneys with individuals unable to afford legal representation for non-fee generating cases.

All Florida Bar members eligible to practice are encouraged to lend their support during this critical time. Those interested in volunteering can sign up via the Young Lawyers Division’s website. YLD President Ashlea Edwards highlights the invaluable role volunteer attorneys play in guiding disaster victims through the complexities of recovery, noting that “a small service can have a profound impact on the lives of those affected.” Volunteers can assist by answering calls directed to the Disaster Relief Hotline (833-514-2940) or by offering legal support at FEMA centers. A basic understanding of common legal issues faced by disaster survivors — including landlord/tenant disputes, housing concerns, consumer protection matters, and home repair contracts — is key for those interested in providing assistance.

The Florida Bar offers a wealth of opportunities for involvement. From local legal aid organizations to statewide platforms such as the FFLA’s “Pro Bono Matters” and the “Lawyers in Libraries” initiative, there are numerous avenues for attorneys to use their expertise to assist those in need. One major advantage of working with a legal aid organization is the guidance provided by pro bono directors, who help coordinate volunteers, offer training, and provide support in unfamiliar situations.

Of course, financial contributions to legal aid organizations are just as essential as volunteering time in closing the justice gap.

As we commemorate Pro Bono Week, I encourage all Florida attorneys to reflect on our Oath of Admission to The Florida Bar, in which we pledged “never to reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed.” The pro bono work we do brings that oath to life.

To all the lawyers already engaged in this noble effort, I offer my deepest gratitude. Your dedication ensures that the promise of equal justice under the law is not merely an aspiration, but a reality for all Floridians.

As we renew our commitment to this important work during Pro Bono Week, let us continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families across our state, ensuring that justice is accessible to all, not just to some.

Roland Sanchez-Medina Jr. is president of The Florida Bar and a partner at Miami-based SMGQ Law, an AV-rated, certified minority-owned, full service law firm with offices in Florida and Georgia.

News in Photos