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 modification, relocation, domestic violence injunction and more. He and his firm, Brady Law Firm, not only accept challenging cases but also sponsor annual pro bono events. In one recent pro bono case, he attended a 3-hour injunction trial and, thanks to his zealous advocacy, was granted a 10-year extension for the client, a pregnant domestic violence survivor and mother of three other children, who now has security and peace of mind. He is a pro bono hero to all of the clients he represents and to Dade Legal Aid for always being of service.
Pro Bono Hero Ericka Curran has dedicated 300+ hours in 2024 through Jacksonville Area Legal Aid‘s Immigration Unit. She is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Leadership Honors Program at the University of Dayton School of Law. Ericka has served on the Board of Directors of American Immigration Lawyers Association of Central Florida, on the Executive Committee for the Northeast Florida Human Trafficking Coalition, and for 6 years on the City of Jacksonville’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council. In practice, Ericka has focused on the representation of detained immigrants, immigrant children, immigrant survivors of violent crime and human trafficking victims.
After serving in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, working as a nationally recognized money manager, serving in the Florida House of Representatives for 8 years, and actively serving as a board member for national, state, and local organizations, in 2014, at the age of 70, Carl J. Domino earned his Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. Since then, Carl, partnering with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, provides free services to the most vulnerable. Carl’s true desire to help, his compassion, keen intellect, and ability to clearly communicate makes a positive impact on the lives of his clients and their families.
Bryan Gowdy is a Pro Bono Hero for his exceptional dedication to justice, research, and advocacy in the Wright v. AHCA case,” says Florida Health Justice Project. “His expertise and commitment were instrumental in defending critical healthcare rights for vulnerable populations in Florida. Bryan’s tireless work, from in-depth research to strategic legal insight, played a pivotal role in securing a significant victory, ensuring that families receive the care they deserve. His pro bono efforts exemplify how legal professionals can create lasting impacts through advocacy and service. We are deeply grateful for Bryan’s contributions to this landmark case!
Jordan Jacob has gone above and beyond assisting Legal Services of Greater Miami in probate matters. It is a new area of practice for LSGMI, and Jordan has become counsel for their consumer unit. Jordan operates a small firm and finds time out of his busy practice to donate his time to indigent clients and the LSGMI team.
Pro Bono Hero Tenikka Jones, a professor at NSU Shepard Broad College of Law, served as an Attorney ad Litem in Juvenile Dependency Court through Dade Legal Aid – Put Something Back. Over the years, she provided 800+ hours supporting and advocating for foster teen clients. In one case, she represented a 13-year-old teen client until she reached 18, profoundly impacting this youth’s life, ensuring her continued well-being and access to necessary resources and support. “While I didn’t think that my representation would have lasted for years, I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and gave me a chance to learn a new area of the law – juvenile dependency.”
Pro Bono Hero Laura Kelly is deeply committed to public service and has represented many children on behalf of CABA Pro Bono. She consistently steps up to the plate and represents vulnerable children. CABA Pro Bono sincerely thanks Ms. Kelly for her remarkable pro bono commitment. She is undeniably helping make Miami Dade county better “one resident at a time.”
Christina Farley Long, a distinguished pro bono attorney specializing in family law, is renowned for her expertise, thoroughness, and patience with clients, says Community Legal Services. As an alumna of the Peer Academy, Christina actively contributes to the legal community by assisting with virtual clinics and advising clients. Her dedication and knowledge make her an invaluable resource for those she serves.
Pro Bono Hero Grant Lyons of Lyons Law, PLLC is a dedicated pro bono attorney assisting Florida Rural Legal Services in the Tenth Judicial Circuit. He has volunteered at the Polk County Courthouse Library pro se assistance family law clinics for the past three years, never missing a clinic, and helps out at the clinic every 5-6 weeks when held. Attorney Lyons has also been extremely helpful by making himself available when needed for additional limited assistance, counsel and advice to persons virtually between the in-person clinics. Attorney Lyons has also helped family law clients on representation matters pro bono as well. He is a dedicated and fantastic #probono leader in the community!
Steven Malono is a Pro Bono Hero for his invaluable assistance in successfully appealing a child’s Medicaid termination. His dedication as a #probono lawyer for Florida Health Justice Project ensured that the child has health insurance secured for at least another year, providing much-needed peace of mind and stability for the family. Steven’s tireless advocacy and commitment to justice highlight the critical role of pro bono work in protecting vulnerable individuals’ rights to essential healthcare services. His efforts have made a profound and lasting impact on this family’s well-being.
Seminole County Bar Association Legal Aid Society’s Board Secretary Robert McIntosh, J.D., in cooperation with HOPE Community Center, has donated countless hours of his time helping lawful permanent residents of our community become citizens through HOPE’s Pathways to Citizenship Program. He guides lawful permanent residents enrolled in the program to passing their naturalization test through weekly instruction in class lectures and practice interviews. In the last nine years, Robert McIntosh has logged thousands of hours of pro bono service helping Green Cardholders become citizens. When asked why they want to become U.S. citizens, students in his classes say it is because they want to be 100% a part of the country they call home.
Pro Bono Hero Jamie Moses began doing pro bono with Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association in 1998 and has accepted 38 cases. She is willing to take on many kinds of cases including bankruptcy, GAL, GAL appellate work, expunction of records, and non-GAL appeals. She has reported 400+ hours. Jamie is definitely LASOCBA’s go-to attorney for appellate work outside of GAL and sometimes on GAL cases too. She has had three successful appeals on behalf of clients, including an appeal of an Injunction for Protection filed by the abuser. The other two were appeals of Landlord/Tenant decisions in which tenants had represented themselves pro se. All three clients desperately needed Jamie’s expertise.
Pro Bono Hero Janice Nisbett has only been an attorney for five years, but she committed to pro bono from the very beginning. She has taken 11 cases in immigration, expunction of records, and wills from Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. She took one of the very first Ukrainian TPS cases for a mother and her children and has also done community education events on nights and weekends. She has reported 393 hours of service!
Pro Bono Hero Brian Onek has donated hundreds of hours to victims of domestic violence and sexual violence, helping to secure vitally important court orders that provide protection from batterers. Many cases require his immediate attention to address critical issues such as custody and support. Brevard County Legal Aid staff know that they can count on Brian when urgent assistance is needed. Brian has also volunteered his considerable trial expertise to assist legal aid attorneys and clients with difficult evidentiary issues involving abused and neglected children.
Pro Bono Hero Ilene Pabian serves as the Public and Charitable Service partner for Holland & Knight’s Miami office, where she coordinates the office’s intake of pro bono legal matters and community service projects. This past year, Ilene coordinated free legal services for 14 of CABA Pro Bono‘s cases of child abuse, abandonment or neglect. She has played a crucial role in ensuring that vulnerable young individuals receive the protection and advocacy they need. Ilene’s passion and commitment to changing the lives of the vulnerable in our society have made all the difference.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is a Pro Bono Hero for their unwavering support of Florida Health Justice Project, where their legal expertise and dedication played a crucial role in advancing justice. Their commitment to pro bono service demonstrates the firm’s dedication to protecting fundamental rights and ensuring access to legal representation for those who need it most. Through their exceptional efforts, Pillsbury Winthrop has made a lasting impact in the fight for equality, serving as a powerful example of how law firms can drive meaningful change.
Pro Bono Hero Wilda Pomales has demonstrated a deep and steady commitment to pro bono work since she first began volunteering with Community Legal Services in 2022. Her dedication is abundantly clear through her active participation in the pro bono family law practice area. She actively volunteers at their First Friday Family Law Forms Clinic in both Osceola and Lake Counties, as well as at the Annual Walk-In Clinic. Her commitment goes beyond mere participation; she has dedicated nearly 100 hours to these initiatives, assisting almost 50 families. Her involvement in these clinics showcases her dedication to providing essential legal support and highlights her willingness to invest significant time into making a difference in the lives of those CLS serves.
Leslie Puzo is a Pro Bono Hero! She recently served as co-counsel with CABA Pro Bono on a highly contentious divorce case for an indigent client who was a domestic violence survivor. Despite the challenges of balancing her professional responsibilities with being a new mother, Leslie devoted 100+ hours to the case, handling the complex financial aspects of the divorce, including equitable distribution, alimony, and child support. Leslie’s meticulous approach involved working closely with a pro bono forensic accountant, analyzing hundreds of financial documents, and preparing an extensive set of exhibits for a two-day trial. Her unwavering dedication to her client’s case, especially under such demanding circumstances, highlights her commitment to her clients and her expertise in family law.
Pro Bono Hero David Rodziewicz began his volunteer work with Community Legal Services in 2012, and his contributions since then have been nothing short of remarkable. Over the past decade, he has dedicated more than 600 hours to pro bono work and managed over 300 cases, demonstrating an exceptional commitment. His areas of focus include employee rights, wage issues, and sealing and expungement. In addition to his direct client work, Dave plays a crucial role in CLS’s Sealing and Expungement clinics. His dedication extends beyond his own cases; he is an invaluable collaborator in recruiting and motivating other pro bono attorneys to engage with and remain active in the clinics.
Jeffrey Rynor, a partner with Mitrani, Rynor, Adamsky & Toland, P.A., is a passionate #probono attorney with Dade Legal Aid – Put Something Back. This Pro Bono Hero specializes in Matrimonial Law and Civil Litigation and is a certified family mediator. A tireless advocate for pro bono civil legal assistance, Mr. Rynor never says “no” when called upon to serve a client. As a past president of the Miami-Dade County Bar Association and current member of the Board of Governors for the 11th Judicial Circuit since 2018, he has spent 400+ hours on a variety of pro bono divorce, custody, paternity, dependency and domestic violence cases, demonstrating his deep commitment to ensuring access to justice for all those in need of assistance with nowhere else to turn to for help.
Pro Bono Hero Tom Schulte of Ausley McMullen is not only a board member of the Legal Aid Foundation of Tallahassee, he also regularly volunteers with their mobile law clinics, providing assistance in areas of landlord/tenant, family law, and probate. In addition, for several years, Tom has served as a mentor during Legal Aid Foundation of Tallahassee’s family law training series, assisting associate lawyers through the process of family law cases. His dedication to serving those in need is invaluable.
Pro Bono Hero Thomas Tukdarian has taken Guardian ad Litem cases, participated in a Citizens Dispute Settlement, and Teen Court Projects. He has completed more than 1800 hours of pro bono service for Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. Thomas always rises to the occasion even though he has family obligations and runs his own solo practice!
Pro Bono Hero Gabriel Dominguez Valiente has volunteered to help 20+ children obtain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Gabriel’s unwavering dedication and advocacy have provided these vulnerable children with the safety and security they need. His commitment to justice and compassion is truly inspiring. Through his efforts, he is not only changing lives but also instilling hope and confidence in our community. His work exemplifies the highest standards of legal service and humanity. His contributions have made a lasting difference, and CABA Pro Bono is deeply grateful for his support.
