Legal Services of Greater Miami honors justice leaders at 16th Annual Heart of Giving Celebration
Legal Services of Greater Miami’s 16th Annual Heart of Giving Celebration and Judicial Reception attendees included, from the left, Monica Vigues-Pitan, CEO of Legal Services; Tracy Nichols of Holland & Knight; Tiffani Lee of Holland & Knight; Judge Roy K. Altman; Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr.; Judge Coralia Lopez-Castro; Event Chair Lilly Ann Sanchez of The L·S Law Firm; Judge Laurel M. Isicoff; and Legal Services Board President Karen Lapekas of Lapekas Law.
More than 450 guests from the legal, corporate, and civic sectors gathered on May 15 at the Rubell Museum to celebrate Legal Services of Greater Miami’s 16th Annual Heart of Giving Celebration and Judicial Reception to honor leaders who exemplify the organization’s values – fairness, respect, and ensuring that justice is accessible to all.
The 2025 Equal Justice Judicial Leadership Award was presented to Senior Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr., of the Southern District of Florida, for his decades of judicial service advancing fairness and accountability in the legal system. The award was presented by his colleague, Judge Roy Altman.
The 2025 Equal Justice Leadership Award was presented to Tiffani Lee of Holland & Knight, in recognition of her pro bono contributions and leadership in advancing access to justice. The award was presented by Legal Services Foundation board member Tracy Nichols of Holland & Knight.
The In Memoriam Equal Justice Legacy Award honored the late Jay Cristol, former chief judge emeritus of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. Presenting the award was Cristol’s longtime friend and fellow bankruptcy judge, Laurel M. Isicoff; accepting on behalf of the Cristol family was Judge Corali Lopez-Castro, who was appointed when Judge Cristol retired and currently serves in his former courtroom.
“This year’s honorees have demonstrated a deep and enduring commitment to justice, integrity, and service,” said Monica Vigues-Pitan, CEO of Legal Services of Greater Miami. “We are proud to honor Judge Scola, Tiffani Lee, and the late Judge Cristol for their lasting contributions to the legal community and to the clients we serve.”
Event Chair Lilly Ann Sanchez of LS Law Firm, and Legal Services Board President Karen Lapekas of Lapekas Law welcomed guests and underscored Legal Services’ role in ensuring low-income residents of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties have access to quality legal representation.
More than 75 event sponsors supported the event, among which were title sponsors Ryder, Charles Schwab Bank, and Lauri Waldman Ross.
Emmy Award-winning journalist and WPLG Local 10 reporter Glenna Milberg served as master of ceremonies.
Photographs from the event may be viewed here.
