Legal Services of Greater Miami event features popular podcast host
Monica Vigues-Pitan, Legal Services chief executive officer, from the left; Gilbert King; Legal Services Board President, D. Porpoise Evans; Legal Services’ Campaign Committee Member Raoul Cantero; and former Judge Scott Cupp.
The Legal Services of Greater Miami’s Chesterfield Smith Society for Equal Justice held a member appreciation event September 28 where Gilbert King, a Pulitzer Prize winning author and host of the popular true crime podcast Bone Valley, spoke to attendees.
King was joined by former Judge Scott Cupp to discuss a nine-part series that covers the 1987 Florida murder of Leo Schofield wife, Michelle. Cupp, stepped down from the bench to represent Schofield, a man they both believe is innocent of murdering his wife.
Cupp asserted that “nothing matters until Leo is freed” and implored guests, consisting mostly of lawyers, to learn more about the case.
“This event gave our supporters an in-depth view at the impact and importance of having access to an advocate and how it can be life changing for the individual who otherwise would have navigated the judicial system on their own,” Legal Services’ Board Director Marissa Glatzer, who was in attendance and invited colleagues from the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s office, said. “The Legal Services’ team sees this firsthand on a daily basis, but tonight our supporters had the benefit of Gilbert King’s extraordinary storytelling to have it come to life for them.”
The Chesterfield Smith Society continues the legacy of Chesterfield Smith (1917-2003), a lifelong advocate for legal services for the underserved. Smith encouraged all lawyers to “do good” by providing pro bono legal services and supporting organizations such as Legal Services that work to ensure all persons have access to justice without regard to their ability to pay.
“As a nonprofit law firm that advances economic opportunity and social justice for low-income residents through effective legal advocacy, this impactful presentation about a fight for justice profoundly resonated with our team, donors, and supporters,” said Monica Vigues-Pitan, CEO of Legal Services. “Gilbert’s and Judge Cupp’s unwavering pursuit of justice is inspirational.”
