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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 (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 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: Amanda Hudson at (321)631-2500 ext. 11.
This year the Children's Legal Assistance Project of Brevard County Legal Aid (BCLA) was the overall winner of the Florida Bar Association Committee's "General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section's Pro Bono Award." The $3,000 award was presented at the Florida Bar's annual meeting in Orlando on June 26, 2009. The Section awards grants on an annual basis in recognition of outstanding service and significant accomplishments by non-profit organizations which provide pro bono legal aid to the indigent. The award is named after L. Michael Roffino in recognition of his outstanding service and leadership to the Section and the citizens of Florida.
Over the past two years, BCLA has developed and implemented the Children's Project in order to provide much-needed services to children currently in foster care programs who are approaching or have reached the point where they are "aging out" of the program and need legal assistance while transitioning to independent living and young adulthood. Through the program, BCLA provides legal counsel to these young people as a means of assisting them in achieving their stated goals with
particular emphasis on taking advantage of the benefits available to them through Florida's Independent Living Statute.
In presenting the award the Section recognized that without BCLA, there exists no resource within the county where these young people can effectively access legal counsel to assist them with the multitude of issues that can and typically do come up as they make their transition to independent living. Often they find themselves caught in a bureaucratic maze where well intentioned people are telling them there are benefits available, but don't have or take the time to follow through to ensure that the young person receives the benefits. The result of this disparity between entitlement and awareness can be substantial and tragic. BCLA helps resolve this problem.
All too often, the only effective way to ensure that foster kids are provided access to valuable benefits such as a paid college education, medical benefits and housing subsidies is with the help of a skilled legal advocate working diligently on their behalf . BCLA provides this representation.
