Legal Services of Greater Miami presents Equal Justice Judicial Leadership Awards
Legal Services of Greater Miami honorees from the Heart of Giving Celebration and Judicial Reception include, from the left, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally A. Heyman, commission Chair Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Chief Judge Nushin G. Sayfie, Judge Michael A. Hanzman, and Morris Copeland, Miami-Dade County chief community services officer. In the back is Monica Vigues-Pitan, Legal Services of Greater Miami’s executive director.
Legal Services of Greater Miami (Legal Services) recently honored three judges at its 13th Annual Heart of Giving Celebration and Judicial Reception.
Earning 2022 Equal Justice Judicial Leadership Awards for their contributions to the pursuit of justice included:
• Chief Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
• Judge Michael A. Hanzman of the 11th Judicial Circuit.
• Chief Judge Nushin G. Sayfie of the 11th Judicial Circuit.
Legal Services also presented the 2022 Equal Justice Public Service Awards to Chair Jose “Pepe” Diaz and Commissioner Sally Heyman of the Miami-Dade County Commission, both leaders who “recognize the importance of access to justice and how critical it is to ensure their constituents can enforce their legal rights.”
The program concluded with remarks from Community Services Officer Morris Copeland. On behalf of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Chief Copeland presented each honoree with a certificate of commendation in appreciation of their service.
“The Heart of Giving has always been an opportunity to celebrate and honor leaders in our community, who share a common vision and passion for access to justice, and this year is no exception. We are grateful to all our honorees for their significant contributions of service and leadership,” said Monica Vigues-Pitan, executive director of Legal Services of Greater Miami. “As we look forward to a post-pandemic world, we will continue our strong advocacy to remove legal barriers that stand in the way of justice for so many of our neighbors who are fighting to preserve their homes from eviction or foreclosure, and to achieve economic stability.”
More than 300 members of the legal and business community gathered for the event chaired by Lilly Ann Sanchez of the L∙S Law Firm. Host Committee members included Deborah Baker, Jason Alderman, Alex Bach Lagos, Tiffani Lee, Cary Lubetsky, Christopher Noel, and Sheila Oretsky. WPLG News Anchor Louis Aguirre served as master of ceremonies.
