ONE Campaign Launch Gets
Attorneys Fired Up!

Click the ONE logo below to learn more about One Client One Attorney One Promise

"In selecting Brevard first, we wanted a community with a strong local bar and an established pro bono culture. We feel that Brevard is an excellent starting point for building excitement for the campaign statewide."-- Adrianne Davis, Florida Legal Services staff

Nearly 100 people from the legal community gathered at the Brevard County Legal Aid offices in Rockledge for the official kick-off and launch of Florida's one campaign (to see pictures, go to the Special Events page).

18th Circuit Court Chief Judge Preston Silvernail addressed the group, emphasizing the importance of performing pro bono service. Private practitioner James Torres related his positive experiences of doing pro bono work; he stated that "these cases and the people I have helped have changed my life in such a good way."

As guests approached the offices, they couldn't help but notice the one Campaign banner hanging to welcome them to the launch. During the celebration, guests had the opportunity to: watch the campaign video featuring Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice, Peggy Quince, first district court of appeal Judge William Van Nortwick and others; review printed materials; sign-up for scheduled trainings; sign-on to take one case; and enjoy a networking lunch. Stephen Koons, a BCLA board member, signed up for a case. After reading a short prepared review of the case, he said, "I"ll take this one, is sounds a lot like what I do everyday."

Lane Cofer, BCLA's new pro bono coordinator, was pleased with how many new names she saw on the sign up sheet. In the end, more than 50 attorneys signed up for trainings and cases. As guests departed the luncheon they were offered goodie bags that included a hot-off-the-press one campaign coffee mug and an attractive one campaign T- shirt.

For a list of trainings being held at the BCLA offices in Rockledge, please note the following dates:      Children's Law Training - November 18, 2009      Employment Law Training, December 11, 2009;  Family Law Training, December 4, 2009: Mortgage Foreclosure: Webinar Trainings available anytime.

When Florida's Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services took on the issue of declining pro bono participation, retaining the respected firm of Carmody and Associates to conduct a detailed study was just the first step. With the support of the Florida Bar Foundation, the resulting study, along with its report and recommendations, underscores the need for Florida's legal community to "take a fresh look" at our pro bono system to address the steady decline in participation, particularly through organized programs like Brevard County Legal Aid.

What the Standing Committee could not have anticipated was that, as a result of the study, they would be charged with coordinating a statewide marketing campaign to recruit pro bono attorneys.

Their answer is Florida's One campaign.

For more information or to sign up for training, contact: Diana Farmer at (321) 631-2500 ext. 11.

Brevard County Legal Aid, Inc.
1038 Harvin Way, Suite 100
Rockledge, Florida
32955

BCLA's Twenty-Fourth Annual
Pro Bono Awards and Recognition Gala

Brevard County Legal Aid hosted their Pro Bono Awards and Recognition Gala, Friday Feb. 18th, at the Suntree Country Club in Melbourne. Fifth District Court of Appeal Judge Kerry Evander was the evening's special guest speaker. The Annual Gala, strongly supported by the Brevard Bar Foundation, recognized attorneys who have gone above and beyond to help the poor in Brevard.

Attorney Amy Romaine was deservedly named Attorney of the Year. BCLA's Recognition Gala is considered one of the most important events in Brevard's legal community.

In discussing the landmark case of Gideon v. Wainright, which established a right to counsel for indigent defendants, Judge Evander speculated about how thankful Clarence Gideon must have felt when a pro bono attorney was appointed to represent him. Thanks to that attorney's efforts, Mr. Gideon was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing in connection with a burglary. That's how Legal Aid's clients must feel, said Judge Evander.

Judge Evander presented awards to 28 attorneys for distinguished and outstanding service. Ken Goldfarb, a process server, received a Special Service Award for providing pro bono assistance to legal aid clients in emergency situations when immediate action was necessary.

Attorney David Lococo was recognized for his legal representation of children, providing assistance to young clients aging out of the foster care system. The "One Promise" Award was presented to Raymond Cornelius for efforts that embody the spirit of the Florida Bar's "ONE" pro bono campaign.

The award for Attorney of the Year went to Amy Romaine, a sole practitioner specializing in family law, personal injury, medical malpractice, and probate. Amy's first family law case was a pro bono case. Her client had three minor children that he was trying to take care of, a wife with a drug problem who had walked out, and a HUD home that still had county liens against it. Amy bought a set of family law guides, prepared for her first hearing, and asked her client to wear a suit if he owned one. He assured her that he did. When Amy arrived at court, she found him dressed in mustard yellow from head to toe, wearing patent leather shoes. She nearly died from shock, but managed to tell him that he looked good, and proceeded with the hearing. That was nearly six years ago and he still sends her a Christmas card every year. In the past few years, Amy has represented a dozen Legal Aid family law clients, logging over 200 hours of pro bono service.

The Brevard County Bar Foundation was the gold sponsor for the event. Other major sponsors included: Allender & Allender, Caruso, Swerbilow & Camerota, Cooper Chiropractic, Acupunture & Rehab Center, Dean Mead, GrayRobinson, Harris Legal Department, Koons & Gigliotti, Kenneth F. Tworoger, Michael G. Howard, Nance Cacciatore, PNC Bank, Vance, Lotane & Bookhardt, Watson, Soileau, DeLeo Burgett, Pickles & Baughn, and Vencil W. Moore.