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Expanding Access to Justice Across Florida

Funding Legal Services, Innovating Solutions, Supporting Legal Aid Providers and Courts

Civil legal aid improves the lives of vulnerable and low-income Floridians.Through strategic grantmaking, FFLA funds local and statewide civil legal aid organizations to improve the administration of justice and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the legal aid delivery system.
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FFLA is a statewide 501 (c)(3) public charity that funds legal services, develops innovative tools and programs, and supports legal aid providers and the courts.

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  • What We Do

    We fund organizations that make access to justice possible for people of limited means.

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2025 FFLA Award Ceremony & Breakfast

FFLA will present the Medal of Honor Awards and other honors at our award ceremony and breakfast at The Boca Raton during The Florida Bar Annual Convention.
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Latest News & Publications

Jacksonville lawyer Lynn Drysdale appointed to FFLA board of directors

Lynn Drysdale The Florida Bar has appointed Jacksonville lawyer Lynn Drysdale to the board of directors of FFLA for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2025. Drysdale is a senior […]

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Jacksonville lawyer Laura Boeckman appointed to FFLA board of directors

The Florida Supreme Court has appointed Jacksonville attorney Laura Boeckman to FFLA’s board of directors for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2025. She previously served on FFLA’s board of […]

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Miami lawyer James Robinson appointed to FFLA board of directors

The Florida Supreme Court has appointed Miami lawyer James ‘Jim’ Robinson to FFLA’s board of directors for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2025. Robinson is a partner at White […]

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FFLA forgives 136 legal aid lawyers’ student debt loans

In March, FFLA’s board of directors approved forgiving 136 loans totaling $625,142 made to legal aid lawyers through its Loan Repayment Assistance Program in 2024. In December, FFLA’s board of […]

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Miami attorney Miriam Soler Ramos appointed to FFLA board of directors

The Florida Bar has appointed Miami attorney Miriam Soler Ramos to FFLA’s board of directors for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2025. Ramos is a real estate attorney at […]

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Key West attorney Ashley N. Sybesma to take office as president of FFLA

Key West attorney Ashley N. Sybesma will become the president of FFLA on July 1, 2025. FFLA is a statewide charitable organization committed to expanding access to the civil justice […]

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2025 Administration of Justice grants awarded

FFLA allocated $900,000 for 2025 Improvements in the Administration of Justice grants. Eleven organizations submitted applications requesting a total of $2,275,842 to fund their projects. FFLA’s board of directors approved funding four applicants […]

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14 Civil Legal Aid Summer Fellowships awarded

With help from The Florida Bar Family Law Section, FFLA will fund 14 Civil Legal Aid Summer Fellowships in 2025. The program, through which law students spend 10 weeks working […]

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Children’s Legal Services program changes lives for the better

Since the early 1990s, tens of thousands of children in Florida have received legal services from legal aid programs funded by FFLA’s Children’s Legal Services grant program. Children with disabilities, […]

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President’s Message – Spring 2025

FFLA’s board of directors recently approved several measures that will effectively increase IOTA funding for grantees and stability for FFLA. Since the 2021 IOTA rule amendment, FFLA has deferred using […]

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FFLA to honor Miami lawyer Jose A. “Pepe” Villalobos, former Florida Bar Foundation President Maria Henderson, and CABA Pro Bono Legal Services Executive Director Lesley Mendoza

Jose A. “Pepe” Villalobos of Akerman has been selected to receive FFLA’s 2025 Medal of Honor Award for a Lawyer, and Maria Henderson, a consultant with Akerman, will receive the Medal of […]

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Spring 2025 Board Report

The FFLA Board of Directors met in Gainesville, Fla., on March 14, 2025, at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. FFLA is grateful to the University of Florida […]

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President’s Message – Winter 2025

As I reflect on the first half of my term as FFLA’s president, I am filled with profound gratitude for each of you who make our mission possible. The amended […]

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Honor a legal hero with a Legacy Brick

By Maria C. Gonzalez, FFLA First Vice President I will forever be grateful that my path crossed with someone as special and unique as Burton Young. You might have known […]

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Eighteen grantees receive 2024-25 pro bono grants

The first year of FFLA’s Pro Bono Support and Enhancement grant program, in which 20 grantees received $3,687,158, ended in September 2024. Grantees’ final reports showed that pro bono staff […]

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Winter 2024 Board Report

The FFLA Board of Directors convened in Jacksonville, Florida, on December 6, 2024, hosted by Jacksonville University College of Law. Presentations Before the meeting, the Board received two presentations: Statewide […]

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FFLA distributes $93 million in IOTA funds to 35 legal aid organizations

The board of directors of FFLA has approved a general distribution of $89,748,976 in Interest on Trust Account (IOTA) funds to 35 Florida legal aid organizations. Organizations must use the […]

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FFLA board approves $1.7 million in loan repayment assistance for legal aid lawyers

FFLA’s board of directors has approved loaning $1,701,940 to 173 legal aid lawyers through its Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). The program assists legal aid lawyers in paying down their […]

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FFLA launches application for new IOTA distribution grantees

FFLA, formerly The Florida Bar Foundation, has launched an application for civil legal aid providers to apply to become qualified grantee organizations eligible to receive funding through its annual IOTA […]

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2024 Pro Bono Heroes

William Brady is a Pro Bono Hero! He is always ready, willing and available to assist Dade Legal Aid – Put Something Back clients in need of a divorce, support […]

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FFLA receives two cy pres awards totaling $309,957

FFLA, formerly The Florida Bar Foundation, has received cy pres awards totaling $309,957 from two class action settlements. FFLA will use the awards to fund legal aid throughout Florida. “FFLA […]

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Fall 2024 Board Report

The FFLA Board of Directors held its quarterly board meeting on September 20, 2024, in Miami, Fla. The University of Miami School of Law HOPE Public Interest Resource Center hosted […]

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Fall 2024 Donation roundup

SECTION DONATION The Florida Bar Family Law Section Executive Committee presented a donation of $37,500 to FFLA Executive Director Donny MacKenzie at The Florida Bar Annual Convention in June. The […]

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11 Children’s Legal Services grants awarded

At its June 2024 meeting, FFLA’s board of directors approved 11 Children’s Legal Services grants. *Funding is postponed until the IOTA Work Group determines if organization is eligible as a […]

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New members join FFLA Board of Directors

FFLA has six designated directors, including the president of Florida Legal Services, the president, president-elect and immediate past president of The Florida Bar, and two judicial officers. Eighteen at-large directors […]

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President’s Message – Fall 2024

FFLA stands at the threshold of achieving something many times greater than we could have imagined a decade ago. A little over a year after an amendment to the IOTA […]

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Quince, Tyree named 2024 Medal of Honor recipients

Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy A. Quince was awarded FFLA’s Medal of Honor Award for a Lawyer, and retired college president Dr. Lawrence W. Tyree was awarded the Medal […]

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Former Foundation president and Medal of Honor recipient Patrick G. Emmanuel passes away

Former Florida Bar Foundation president Patrick G. Emmanuel passed away July 31, 2024. Emmanuel served as the Foundation’s second president from 1972-73. He was named the 2001 Medal of Honor […]

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Public Notice: FY23-24 IOTA Funds Collections

PUBLIC NOTICE FFLA: FY23-24 IOTA FUNDS COLLECTIONS FFLA announces that it has received $279,656,156 in IOTA collections for FYE June 30, 2024. In accordance with Rule 5-1.1(g)(8), Rules Regulating The […]

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FFLA increases Loan Repayment Assistance Program loan amounts to $10,000

FFLA has increased the annual loan amount available through its Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) from $5,000 to $10,000. Through LRAP, FFLA provides annual loans to qualified civil legal aid […]

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June 2024 Board of Directors Meeting Report

The FFLA Board of Directors met in person in Orlando on June 20, 2024. The major actions of the board and reports received included: Adoption of FY 24-25 Operating Budget […]

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Former Foundation president and Medal of Honor recipient Neal Sonnett passes away

Former Florida Bar Foundation president and Medal of Honor recipient Neal Sonnett has passed away. Sonnet won the Medal of Honor in 1989 for his dedicated service in improving the […]

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FFLA awards Pro Bono Law School Challenge winners, places program on hiatus

The University of Miami School of Law has won the 2024 MVP Pro Bono Award for the Florida Pro Bono Law School Challenge, a program run by FFLA, formerly The […]

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FFLA awards $1.8 million in grants

FFLA, formerly The Florida Bar Foundation, has awarded grants to 11 legal aid providers through its Children’s Legal Services, Improvements in the Administration of Justice, and Law School Civil Legal […]

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Judges, mediator appointed to FFLA board of directors

The Florida Supreme Court has appointed Judges Paetra T. Brownlee of the Sixth District Court of Appeal and Thomas D. Winokur of the First District Court of Appeal to the […]

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Miami lawyer Roberto R. Pardo takes office as president of FFLA

MAITLAND, Fla. — Miami lawyer Roberto R. Pardo took office July 1, 2024, as president of FFLA, a statewide charitable organization whose mission is to increase access to the justice […]

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Retired judge Hugh Carithers takes office as second vice president of FFLA

MAITLAND, Fla. — Retired judge Hugh Carithers took office July 1, 2024, as second vice president of FFLA, a statewide charitable organization whose mission is to increase access to the […]

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James P. Schwarz receives President’s Award for Excellence

James P. “Jim” Schwarz is the recipient of FFLA’s 2024 President’s Award for Excellence for his outstanding service, meaningful contributions, positive and thoughtful ideas, energetic leadership and unwavering support of […]

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2024 FFLA Award Ceremony & Breakfast Photo Gallery

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Tallahassee lawyer Magie Ozarowski appointed to FFLA board of directors

The Florida Bar has appointed Tallahassee lawyer Magie Ozarowski to the board of directors of FFLA for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2024. Ozarowski is Of Counsel at Ausley […]

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Miami lawyer Patrick Montoya appointed to FFLA board of directors

FFLA has appointed Miami lawyer Patrick Montoya to its board of directors for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2024. Montoya is a senior partner at Milberg, where he practices […]

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Ft. Lauderdale lawyer Douglas H. Reynolds appointed to FFLA board of directors

FFLA has appointed Fort Lauderdale lawyer Douglas H. Reynolds to its board of directors for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2024. Reynolds is a litigation partner with Tripp Scott, […]

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Assistant U.S. Attorney Raychelle Tasher appointed to FFLA board of directors

FFLA has appointed Raychelle Tasher, assistant U.S. attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, to its board of directors beginning July 1, 2024. She […]

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Jacksonville lawyer Joe Jacquot appointed to FFLA board of directors

The Florida Supreme Court has appointed Jacksonville lawyer Joe Jacquot to the board of directors of FFLA for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2024. Jacquot is a business litigation […]

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FFLA to honor former Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy A. Quince, retired college president Lawrence W. Tyree, and Florida Justice Institute founder Roderick N. Petrey

Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy A. Quince has been selected to receive FFLA’s 2024 Medal of Honor Award for a Lawyer, and retired college president Lawrence W. Tyree will receive the […]

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My Journey: A former Summer Fellow leads firm’s Immigration Practice Group

Former Florida Bar Foundation Civil Legal Aid Summer Fellow Katie Nokes Minervino leads Pierce Atwood‘s Immigration Practice Group in Portland, ME. She received an Outstanding Service Award from the Immigrant […]

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Legal aid staff prepare foster child with autism for the future

At 16, Jasmine Mendez was on her own. She was being discharged from a two-year stay at a Statewide Inpatient Psychiatric Program (SIPP), and she had no family members willing […]

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President’s Message – Spring 2024

It has been my pleasure to serve as FFLA’s president this year and to be a firsthand witness to the significant milestones that have come to pass as we navigate […]

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FFLA and Family Law Section fund 14 Civil Legal Aid Summer Fellows

After a four-year pause due to lack of funding, FFLA will once again fund its Civil Legal Aid Summer Fellows program, through which Florida law students spend 10 weeks working […]

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March 2024 Board Report

The FFLA Board of Directors met in Tampa, Fla., on March 21, 2024, at the Stetson University Tampa Law Center. FFLA is grateful to Stetson University Tampa Law Center for […]

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Past President and Medal of Honor recipient Burton Young passes away

Former Florida Bar Foundation President Burton Young passed away March 30, 2024. Young served as the Foundation’s fourth president from 1975-1977. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Foundation’s […]

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Recent donations benefit FFLA

Cy Pres Award FFLA received a cy pres award of $392,549 from a recent class action settlement with unclaimed and residual funds. Plaintiffs’ lawyers John Yanchunis and Ryan McGee of […]

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FFLA provides AI-Assisted Research tool to grantees

FFLA has added Westlaw Precision with AI-Assisted Research to its statewide subscription that provides legal research tools to its grantees. FFLA’s subscription allows more than 20 Florida legal aid organizations […]

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President’s Message – Winter 2024

FFLA is off and rolling! In December, we distributed more than $33 million in IOTA funds to 35 legal aid providers. Undoubtedly, this funding gives more low-income Floridians a greater […]

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FFLA hosts housewarming, dedicates Legacy Garden

FFLA held a housewarming event on December 7, 2023, to officially announce its new name, welcome guests to its new office and dedicate its Legacy Garden. During the event, a […]

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2023 Housewarming Photo Gallery

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December 2023 Board Report

The FFLA Board of Directors met in Winter Park, Fla., on Dec. 8, 2023, at the Winter Park Campus of Valencia College. Prior to the meeting, presentations were made by […]

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FFLA to distribute $33.8 million in IOTA funds to 35 legal aid organizations

On Dec. 8, 2023, the board of directors of FFLA approved the distribution of $33,870,910 of Interest on Trust Accounts (IOTA) funds to 35 Florida legal aid organizations. FFLA is […]

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Florida Bar Foundation rebrands, changes name to FFLA

The Florida Bar Foundation is now known as FFLA. The nonprofit organization, which is the designated administrator of Florida’s Interest of Trust Accounts program, is changing its name and rebranding […]

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2023 Pro Bono Heroes

Pro Bono Hero Mary Doty Solik began doing pro bono with Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association in 1990. She takes on some of the hardest Guardian ad […]

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September 2023 Board Report

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. The Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors held its […]

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Foundation is grateful recipient of donations

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. In June, The Florida Bar Family Law Section donated […]

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Miami lawyer David B. Rothman and Sarasota lawyer Kimberly L. Rodgers honored

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. The Florida Bar Foundation awarded two lawyers with its […]

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President’s Message – Fall 2023

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. The Foundation has spent more than a year working […]

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Paul C. Doyle Children’s Advocacy Award winners recognized

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. The Paul C. Doyle Children’s Advocacy Award was presented […]

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Foundation begins IOTA collections under amended rule

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. On May 15, 2023, an amendment to Florida Bar […]

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Foundation submits first IOTA implementation report to Florida Supreme Court

The Florida Bar Foundation submitted its first status report regarding its activities as the designated IOTA administrator to the Florida Supreme Court in September 2023, pursuant to Rule 5-1.1(g) as […]

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Join us for our Housewarming

Join us for a Housewarming event on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at our new office. Join us for tours, drinks, light refreshments and live music. We are putting down roots […]

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Foundation announces IOTA collections for 2022-23 fiscal year

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. The Florida Bar Foundation has collected $45,547,390.93 in Interest […]

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Tampa lawyer Murray Silverstein takes office as president of Foundation

Murray Silverstein, partner in the newly-opened Tampa office of national firm Stinson LLP, took office July 1, 2023, as president of The Florida Bar Foundation, a statewide charitable organization whose […]

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June 2023 Board Report

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. The Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors met in […]

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Gonzalez takes office as second vice president, honored with President’s Award for Excellence

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. Maria C. Gonzalez, a board certified marital and family […]

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2023 Award Ceremony & Breakfast Photo Gallery

Aidil Oscariz and Carlos Martinez Ashley Sybesma, Trish Schwarz, Jim Schwarz Ava Doppelt and Robert Thornburg Carolina de Diego and Lourdes Fernandez Christina Russo Walters and Claud Nelson of Community […]

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Central Florida lawyer Ayana Barrow appointed to Foundation board

The Florida Bar Foundation has appointed Central Florida lawyer Ayana Barrow to its board of directors for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2023. Barrow is In-house Staff Counsel for […]

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Tampa lawyer Kyle Robisch appointed to Foundation board

The Florida Supreme Court has appointed Tampa lawyer Kyle Robisch to the board of directors of The Florida Bar Foundation for a three-year term. Robisch, a Florida Bar Foundation fellow, […]

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Tampa lawyer Joseph Kadow appointed to Foundation board

The Florida Bar Foundation has appointed Tampa lawyer Joseph Kadow to its board of directors for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2023. In 2019, Kadow retired from Bloomin’ Brands […]

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Jacksonville lawyers appointed to Foundation board

Laura Boeckman, assistant general counsel for the city of Jacksonville, has been appointed by the Florida Supreme Court to the board of The Florida Bar Foundation. Katie Fackler, associate general […]

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2023 Law School Challenge winners named

The Florida Bar Foundation announced the winners of the 2023 Florida Pro Bono Law School Challenge in May. The University of Florida Levin College of Law won the MVP Pro […]

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Message from the President – Spring 2023

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. Springtime is so beautiful in Tallahassee that it has […]

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Attorney ad litem helps Charlotte find her forever home

Stephanie Johnson, the managing attorney for Legal Services of North Florida’s Tallahassee office, left her office one day in 2020 to meet a new client. She headed to a day […]

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Foundation makes first IOTA distributions under new rule

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. In December 2022, The Florida Bar Foundation facilitated the […]

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Foundation to honor Miami attorney, St. Petersburg legal services leader

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. Miami attorney David B. Rothman, Esq., has been selected […]

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March 2023 Board Report

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. The Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors met in […]

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IOTA Banking Resources

If you have questions about how client funds are insured, please use the following resources for guidance: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation American Bar Association: IOLTA Account Insurance Coverage The Florida […]

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Former Foundation president and Medal of Honor recipient Terry Russell passes away

Former Florida Bar Foundation president and Medal of Honor recipient Terry Russell has passed away. Russell won the Medal of Honor in 2008 for his exceptional lifelong compassion and undaunting […]

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Nine Engle grants impact thousands of Floridians in Middle District

Megan*, a Seminole County mother of two daughters, was caught in a precarious living situation after the COVID-19 pandemic began taking its toll on Floridians in 2020. She had lost […]

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President’s Message – Winter 2023

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. There is a new trend I’ve noticed this year […]

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Foundation benefits from donations

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. The Florida Bar Foundation has been the recipient of […]

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2023 Florida Pro Bono Law School Challenge begins February 6

The 2023 Florida Pro Bono Law School Challenge, run by The Florida Bar Foundation, will begin on Feb. 6, 2023. The statewide competition, now in its fifth year, connects Florida […]

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Foundation board approves new grant program, policies

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. The Florida Bar Foundation’s board of directors approved a […]

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December 2022 Board Report

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. The Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors met in […]

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Foundation CFO Lou Ann Powell passes away

Lou Ann Powell, The Florida Bar Foundation’s Chief Financial Officer, passed away Nov. 10 due to complications from a terminal illness. A certified public accountant since 1980, Powell joined the […]

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Foundation renews Westlaw contract

The Florida Bar Foundation has renewed its contract with Westlaw for five years. Westlaw, an online legal database platform, provides case histories, form builders and sophisticated research tools for lawyers. […]

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2022 Pro Bono Heroes

Pro Bono Hero Maria Breen began volunteering with Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association while studying for the Bar exam. She has participated in their National Citizenship […]

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Joseph “Jody” Hudgins receives 2022 President’s Award

At the Foundation’s June 2022 board of directors meeting, Foundation President Connie Bookman honored Joseph “Jody” Hudgins with the 2022 President’s Award for his passionate dedication and innovative commitment to […]

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2022 Goldstein – Van Nortwick award winners recognized at ceremony

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. Community Law Program and Bay Area Legal Services won […]

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Richard “Dick” C. Woltmann receives Curran Distinguished Service Award

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. Richard “Dick” C. Woltmann, president and CEO of Bay […]

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Family Law Section makes $75,000 donation

During the 2022 Florida Bar Annual Convention in June, the Family Law Section presented a check for $75,000 to the Foundation in support of children’s legal services. The section has […]

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Foundation purchases office building in Maitland

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. The Florida Bar Foundation closed on the purchase of […]

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President’s Message – Fall 2022

In December 2023, The Florida Bar Foundation changed its name to FFLA. Posts prior to this date contain our former name. I am honored to serve as the Foundation’s president […]

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