(FLORIDA) – Private Attorney Shannon Ligon has spent her life serving her community. In fact, it’s how she was raised. “As a life-long public servant, my heart is serving my community and trying to help others, which I learned from my parents. Their work ethic has always inspired me!”
As the Founder and Managing Member of PrettySMART Law, Ligon is skilled in many areas, both within the legal field and beyond. Her legal experience has spanned the gamut, from entertainment and sports law to employment discrimination, business law, and personal injury. Outside of her work as an attorney, Ligon is a self-defined “serial entrepreneur,” and a successful one at that.
She is also a volunteer attorney through the Pro Bono Program at Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS). FRLS is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to qualified individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties and to farmworkers statewide.
Ligon was motivated to take on a Pro Bono case at FRLS after observing the growing economic hurdles faced by low-income Floridian families, which make it increasingly difficult for many to access life-affirming needs. “With the rising costs facing families and children, providing the basic necessities such as a secure home and food has become a challenge for many.”
Today’s cost-of-living crisis, as Ligon sees it, has striking parallels to the 2008 financial crisis, during which many Floridian households fell victim to predatory lending practices, particularly in the housing market.
“After representing families in the 2008 housing crisis that could not afford lawyers, I was inspired to volunteer with FRLS and take on a Pro Bono case after seeing families face similar emergencies recently.” Ligon showed up for Floridians then, and she does today through her work at FRLS.
By volunteering her skills and experiences, Ligon was able to save her client’s family home, an outcome she defines as “priceless.” She adds that FRLS’s Pro Bono program “allows low-income clients to still receive quality legal representation, which is something everyone should be afforded regardless of income.”
Indeed, Ligon draws upon her passion for law and service, as well as her razor-sharp business acumen, to assist clients in need of quality legal aid. But she also has her team at PrettySMART Law to thank for their contributions to the Pro Bono case. “I am thankful for my office and team for assisting in these Pro Bono matters because teamwork really does make the dream work!”
Lights, Camera, Legal Action! Pro Bono at FRLS
Whether you are a current law student, a private attorney, or a retired or inactive legal professional, there are ample volunteer opportunities for you at FRLS. Our Pro Bono Program endeavors to match volunteers with cases that suit their burgeoning legal interests or lifelong strong suits. Moreover, Pro Bono work can mean anything from assisting a client with limited advice via a phone call, mentoring a FRLS attorney on a case or taking on full legal representation in a matter.
Ultimately, our mission is the same: to provide high quality civil legal assistance and representation to low-income and vulnerable communities across our state.
Start your Pro Bono journey at FRLS. Call 1-888-582-3410 or sign up for an active case here.
About Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS):
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to qualified individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties and to farmworkers statewide. Since 1966, FRLS has pursued justice by providing legal services in
housing law, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, elder law, disaster relief, education law, tax advocacy, and more, all at no cost to our clients. FRLS collaborates with community organizations and pro bono attorneys to deliver quality advocacy, outreach, and education designed to protect the rights of those in need. For over 50 years, FRLS has been a steadfast advocate for justice. Learn more at www.FRLS.org.