2008 Pro Bono Service Awards

    In 2007, local attorneys donated thousands of hours of free legal services and more than $344,000 to support Hillsborough County’s only legal aid program, Bay Area Legal Services, Inc.  On March 13, 2008, attorneys and law firms were honored for their exceptional pro bono contributions in 2007 at the first Pro Bono Service Awards Ceremony held at the George Edgecomb Courthouse. The attorneys receiving recognition provided free legal services to indigent Hillsborough County residents through their participation in a variety of organized pro bono projects.

     On behalf of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s pro bono program, H.A.V.E. A Heart, HCBA President Caroline Black and Judge James M. Barton, III, presented the following awards:

Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Jimmy Kynes Pro Bono Service Award:

The Honorable Catherine Peek McEwen is a U. S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Florida. From 1982 until her appointment in 2005, she actively participated in the Volunteer Lawyers Program. Over the years she donated many hours handling pro bono cases, mentoring volunteers, and interviewing and advising legal aid applicants.  More recently, Judge McEwen coordinated the efforts of the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, the Bankruptcy Court staff and judges, and Bay Area Legal Services to produce a DVD and brochures to assist pro se bankruptcy litigants.  Judge McEwen contributed more than 100 hours to ensure that the project, funded by the Florida Bar Foundation, was completed.

Outstanding Pro Bono Service for the Ask A Lawyer Project:

Eric A. Seidel is Fox 13’s Consumer Lawyer. For nearly 14 years, he has hosted Ask a Lawyer. The project, created by Mr. Seidel, is a joint effort of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and FOX 13 News.  Since its inception, the monthly call-in program, staffed solely by volunteer attorneys, has helped tens of thousands of callers seeking legal help.

Outstanding Pro Bono Service for the Case Referral Panel:

Karl J. Brandes is a partner with Phelps Dunbar LLP specializing in commercial litigation matters. Mr. Brandes has volunteered for Bay Area’s Volunteer Lawyers Program since 1989. Over the years, he has donated more than 100 hours assisting indigent clients with real estate litigation, auto negligence, and consumer issues.

W. Gregory Golson is a sole practitioner specializing in bankruptcy, real property, business transactions, and corporate law.  As a volunteer attorney for the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 1995, he has handled 13 pro bono cases and donated nearly 150 hours assisting indigent clients with bankruptcy and debt collection matters.

W. Craig Hall is a sole practitioner with a general civil practice.  He has been a volunteer with the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 1986.  Over the years, he has handled 13 cases and donated nearly 100 hours helping indigent clients with auto negligence, real property, homeownership, and debt collection matters.

Susan G. Haubenstock is a sole practitioner with a practice in estate planning, probate, guardianship, and elder law matters. She has been active in the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 1998. She has donated nearly 100 hours representing indigent clients in probate and guardianship matters.

Timothy G. Hayes is a sole practitioner specializing in real property, probate, and guardianship matters. He has participated in the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 1992. He has donated nearly 300 hours representing indigent clients in probate, guardianship, and social security matters.

Joseph R. Kalish is a sole practitioner specializing in real property and probate matters.  Mr. Kalish has been a volunteer with the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 1994.  He has donated nearly 100 hours helping indigent clients with probate and homeownership cases.

Paul G. McDuffee, II, focuses his practice on personal injury and wrongful death matters. He has volunteered for the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 1994. Over the years, he has donated nearly 100 hours representing indigent clients in auto negligence and insurance matters.

Outstanding Pro Bono Service for Community Counsel:

James Russell Spoor is a tax attorney with Foley & Lardner.  He has participated in Bay Area’s Community Counsel Program since 2006.  As a volunteer, he has donated nearly 100 hours providing corporate and tax assistance to nonprofits and community groups that primarily serve indigent residents or low-income communities. 

 Outstanding Pro Bono Service for Community Counsel by a Law Firm:

DLA Piper US LLP has supported Bay Area’s Community Counsel Program since 2005 by providing legal help to numerous nonprofits and community groups. The firm’s attorneys have collectively donated nearly 200 hours assisting organizations that focus on the needs of the homeless, affordable housing, and disaster relief and preparedness. Their pro bono services have included corporate development and restructuring, contract management, and real estate development. In addition, the firm has provided training for nonprofits on a variety of legal issues.

Outstanding Pro Bono Service for the Domestic Violence Assistance Project:

Alexandra M. MacLennan has participated in the Domestic Violence Assistance Project since 2003.  She is a partner with Squire, Sanders & Dempsey and specializes in local government and municipal finance.  She has donated nearly 50 hours and assisted 80 victims of domestic violence complete petitions for injunction.

Jane A. Rose has been active in the Domestic Violence Assistance Project since 2003. She is Senior Assistant County Attorney of the Water and Environmental Management Division. She has contributed more than 50 hours assisting nearly 100 victims of domestic violence complete the forms required to obtain injunctive relief.

Outstanding Pro Bono Service for George Edgecomb Bar Association:

Alec F. Hall is an Assistant Federal Public Defender and Supervisor. He is the Pro Bono Committee Chair for the George Edgecomb Bar Association and has been a member of GEBA since 2004. Mr. Hall donated more than 50 hours in 2007 coordinating the Legal Redress Workshop and providing pro bono help to individuals referred through the NAACP and GEBA.

Outstanding Pro Bono Service for Kinship Care Project:

Robin L. Rosenberg is Deputy Director of Florida’s Children First. Since 2004, she has volunteered for the Kinship Care Project.  Ms. Rosenberg has donated nearly 100 hours advising and assisting relatives who are caregivers for children who otherwise would be in foster care.

Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Law Firm:

Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP has been active in the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 2001. Over the years, with supervision and coordination by partner Paul Rebein, the firm’s attorneys have collectively handled more than 20 cases and donated nearly 500 hours of legal services.  The firm has represented indigent clients in adoption, family law, guardianship, contracts, and homeownership matters.

Outstanding Pro Bono Service for Teen Court:

John W. Gardner is a sole practitioner specializing in personal injury, family law, and civil litigation matters.  Mr. Gardner has volunteered for Teen Court, a diversionary program for first-time juvenile offenders, since 2006. He has donated nearly 100 hours as a Teen Court judge presiding over cases and training student volunteers.