One Campaign Launch Gets Attorneys Fired Up!

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"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. 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 VanNortwick 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 Ð 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.