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2009 PRO BONO SERVICE AWARDS
Each year the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's pro bono program, H.A.V.E. a Heart, the Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program, and the Hillsborough County Bar Association recognize a select group of attorneys who have provided outstanding pro bono service in Hillsborough County. In 2009, Chief Judge Manuel Menendez and 12 sitting and retired judges of Hillsborough County presided over the annual pro bono service awards ceremony.
In 1993, the Supreme Court of Florida issued an opinion encouraging Florida attorneys to annually give twenty hours of free legal assistance or contribute a minimum of $350 to a legal services organization. Last year, many Hillsborough County attorneys met or exceeded the aspirational goals set by the Court. In 2008, local attorneys donated thousands of hours of free legal services and more than $261,500.00 to support Hillsborough County’s only legal aid program, Bay Area Legal Services, Inc.
The following attorneys were recognized in 2009 for their outstanding pro bono efforts:
Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Jimmy Kynes Pro Bono Service Award:
Caroline Kapusta Black is a partner with the law firm of Mason, Black and Caballero, P.A. She has actively participated in the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 1993. Over the years, she has handled family law pro bono cases, mentored volunteers, and interviewed and advised legal aid applicants. Throughout her recent term as president of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Ms. Black encouraged pro bono participation by members of the Association. In 2008, she assisted the Volunteer Lawyers Program in recognizing the outstanding service of our volunteers. As a counselor, advocate, and bar leader, she has donated approximately 300 hours to support local pro bono efforts.
Outstanding Pro Bono Service for the Ask A Lawyer Project:
Brent A. Rose is a partner in the Orsini and Rose Law Firm with expertise in family law, entertainment law, bankruptcy, construction and securities matters. Mr. Rose is a dedicated volunteer for the Ask-A-Lawyer project. The project, a joint effort of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and FOX 13, is a monthly call-in program staffed solely by volunteer attorneys. In 2008, Mr. Rose donated more than 50 hours providing legal information and assistance to callers.
Outstanding Pro Bono Service for Client Intake:
Mark T. Middlebrook is a senior vice president of Regions Bank responsible for the delivery of wealth management services in the West Florida Area. Since 2004, Mr. Middlebrook has participated in client intake sessions through the Volunteer Lawyers Program. He has donated 65 hours providing counsel and advice to indigent clients on various legal matters.
Outstanding Pro Bono Service for the Case Referral Panel:
Nancy L. Browder is a sole practitioner specializing in family law. Ms. Browder has volunteered for the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 1994. Over the years, she has handled 13 cases and donated more than 125 hours assisting indigent clients with family law matters.
Alexander Caballero is a partner with Mason, Black & Caballero P.A. He practices exclusively in the area of family law. As a volunteer attorney for the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 2000, he has handled 11 pro bono cases and donated nearly 275 hours assisting indigent clients with family law matters as well as providing assistance through the Family Forms Clinic.
Kay J. McGucken is a sole practitioner with a practice in criminal, probate, guardianship and family law matters. She has been a volunteer with the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 1983. Over the years, she has handled 13 cases and donated nearly 120 hours helping indigent clients with various family law matters.
Randall O. Reder is a sole practitioner specializing in appellate, real property, business, and probate law. As a volunteer attorney for the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 1991, he has handled 13 pro bono cases and donated nearly 285 hours assisting indigent clients with probate and real property matters.
Outstanding Pro Bono Service for the Family Forms Clinic:
Megan A. Odroniec is an associate with Foley & Lardner LLP’s Tampa office, specializing in transactional and securities law. She has been an active and dedicated volunteer for the Volunteer Lawyers Program’s Family Forms Clinic since the project was introduced in 2007. During this time, Ms. Odroniec has donated nearly 53 hours assisting individuals with court approved family law forms.
Outstanding Pro Bono Service for Kinship Care Project:
Martha A. Curtis is an attorney with the Law Office of Jeanne T. Tate specializing in adoptions. Since 2005, she has volunteered for the Kinship Care Project, a Legal Hotline program that helps grandparents and relatives raising the children of others. Ms. Curtis has donated 100 hours helping more than 60 clients with kinship care temporary custody issues and needs.
Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Law Firm:
Foley & Lardner LLP, Tampa office, in furtherance of the firm’s overall commitment to pro bono, is involved in a broad range of activities. The firm contributes legal services through numerous projects offered through the Volunteer Lawyers Program, including accepting individual case referrals, assisting charitable nonprofit organizations through the Judge Don Castor Community Law Center and participating in the Family Forms Clinic. Foley’s attorneys also volunteer for the Teen Court project, the Florida Attorneys Saving Homes Program and provide pro bono representation to various charities in and around Tampa. In 2008, over 95% of the firm’s Tampa attorneys collectively donated more than 1,900 hours of pro bono legal services in contract, tax, corporate, estate planning, zoning & permitting, real property, bankruptcy and other matters.
Outstanding Pro Bono Service for Teen Court: Donata S. Suplee is an Assistant Public Defender with the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office. Ms. Suplee has volunteered for the Teen Court Diversion Program, a diversionary program for first-time juvenile offenders, since 2007. She donated more than 50 hours in 2008 as a Teen Court judge presiding over cases and training student volunteers.
Outstanding Pro Bono Service USF Legal Aid:
T. Edmund Spinks is a sole practitioner specializing in the area of tort litigation. He also represents military members accused of misconduct and all areas of Veterans benefits and social security appeals. For many years, he has volunteered for the University of South Florida Legal Aid Program. In 2008, Mr. Spinks donated more than 50 hours assisting students and faculty with a variety of legal matters, including employment, debt collection, consumer, and landlord/tenant.
The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award:
Each year the Florida Bar and the Supreme Court of Florida recognize attorneys, judges, law firms, and professional groups that have provided outstanding pro bono service. On January 29, 2009, local attorney, Scott A. Stichter, received the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award recognizes individual lawyer service in each of Florida’s judicial circuits. Its purpose is to encourage lawyers to donate legal services by recognizing outstanding pro bono efforts and sharing with the public the substantial volunteer services provided by Florida lawyers. Mr. Stichter has made a difference in the lives of many families by providing pro bono assistance with bankruptcy matters and encouraging other attorneys to do so as well. In addition, he has assisted Bay Area’s Volunteer Lawyers Program for many years by advising legal aid applicants and training and mentoring staff attorneys and volunteer attorneys handling pro bono bankruptcy cases.
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