Haitian Lawyers Association to receive statewide pro bono award
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 January 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 of legal services to individuals or groups on a pro bono basis.
With equality and access to justice being foundational to the Haitian Lawyers Association, it has provided pro bono legal services to vulnerable communities for over 25 years throughout the state of Florida. From its inception, the HLA has provided pro bono legal representation to Haitian immigrants and has represented clients in federal, state and immigration courts. Over the past five years, HLA members as a group have assisted over 1,500 clients and volunteered over 2,668 pro bono hours.
HLA’s ongoing pro bono project provides free legal services to low income-individuals and families in the areas of family law, landlord tenant, contracts, immigration, and small claims matters.
Moreover, HLA continues to collaborate with legal partners, local voluntary bar associations, and legal aid organizations including partnering with Legal Services of Greater Miami on a number of initiatives.
In addition to providing legal representation, HLA often appears on radio shows to educate members of the community about legal issues in the areas of immigration law, family law, unlicensed practice of law, and criminal law.
This year’s awards ceremony, which also honors Individual, Circuit, Law Firm, Young Lawyers Division, Distinguished Federal Judicial Service, and Distinguished Judicial Service pro bono efforts, takes place at the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday, January 26, at 3:30 p.m. Watch it live on Facebook, WFSU: Gavel to Gavel and the Florida Channel.
