Florida Rural Legal Services, in partnership with All Bar Associations in the 19th Judicial Circuit, hosted the first in-person 19th Circuit Bench Bar Conference since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, which included hours of engaging speakers, interesting seminars and an awards presentation at the Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa on Friday, Nov. 4.
During the conference, Attorney Britt Berg, manager of Pro Bono services at FRLS, honored four outstanding pro bono attorneys:
Jessica VanValkenburgh; assisted 21 clients in need with pro bono, and helped with FRLS' remote family law clinics that are occurring several times a month.
Kim Cunzo; helped with so many family law clinics, and had helped with 16 clients at FRLS' remote family law clinics in just this year alone.
Brandon Hale; had took on 40 cases since 2019, including two adult guardianships cases this past year.
Jeff Batista; assisted 7 clients at clinics this year, and had been taking pro bono cases with FRLS since 2007- specializing in family law, to bankruptcy, to landlord/tenant.
Since FRLS began its pro bono program, attorneys within the 19th Circuit have demonstrated strong commitments to public service. These pro bono lawyers have represented low-income individuals, families, and communities in civil matters implicating basic human needs, such as shelter, safety, health, public benefits, and wages.
Much of FRLS' need for pro bono work is anchored in meeting local needs, serving individuals and families throughout 14 counties. But FRLS firm also has a long history of serving migrant farmworkers throughout Florida.
Within the 19th Circuit, probono attorneys offer family law virtually every week. This has been a great success. During the coronavirus pandemic, FRLS assisted clients in Indian River County through FRLS' effective bankruptcy program. Pro bono attorneys guided low- income tenants facing eviction or seeking to remedy deplorable housing conditions, to stabilize their
housing and prevent homelessness during the pandemic.
Every day, people are at risk of losing their family, home or livelihood because of their inability to afford or access legal help. That’s why FRLS honors the 19th Judicial Circuit Bench Bar attorneys who donate their expertise to equip individuals with solutions to legal issues and transform how the civil justice system collaborates with FRLS to ensure access to justice.