L. David Shear Children's Law Center - Advocacy for children and families in need
In an effort to assist more families, Bay Area has established a children's advocacy program. With funding from The Florida Bar Foundation and the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, Bay Area Legal Services can provide representation of foster care children ages birth through 5 and their siblings. The program will focus on reducing the time that children are in the foster care system; increasing permanency through reunification and long term placements; and expediting adoptions. The program will also provide training, co-counseling, and mentoring opportunities for Hillsborough County pro bono attorneys who will act as attorneys ad litem. The program is named after attorney and Bay Area supporter, L. David Shear, in recognition of all of his efforts and contributions to help his community and Bay Area Legal Services.
Click here for brochure (in pdf).
Click here to read the Press Release (in pdf)
Click here to watch a video story about one of the CLC's clients (uses Windows Media Player).
Picture of L. David Shear with his grandchild, courtesy of HCBA Lawyer Magazine 2006