Grant Database

National Association of Public Interest Law (now Equal Justice Works) Fellow Shahar Vinayi of the University of Miami: Provide legal advocacy and outreach in the areas of consumer protection and economic exploitation to the poor elderly communities of Palm Beach County. Additionally, Greenberg Traurig donated $26,000 to support this fellowship.

National Association of Public Interest Law (now Equal Justice Works) Fellow Melissa Zelniker of Florida State University: Bridging the gap between the juvenile delinquency and dependency systems for children who are grossly underrepresented. Additionally, The Florida Bar donated $26,000 to support this fellowship.

National Association of Public Interest Law (now Equal Justice Works) Fellowship: Design and implement a family law pro se program in Brevard County. An additional $22,750 was given by The Florida Bar to support this grant.

National Association of Public Interest Law (now Equal Justice Works) Fellowship: Educate and advocate on behalf of tenants in public and federally subsidized houseing with the goal of preserving their housing from demolition and protecting tenant rights. An additional $22,750 was donated by the Law Firm of Gary, Williams, Parenti, Finney, Lewis, McManus, Watson and Sperando to support this grant.

National Association of Public Interest Law (now Equal Justice Works) Fellowship: To meet the legal services needs of teen parents in Orlando. An additional $21,350 was donated by Greenberg Traurig and $15,000 from the Orange County Bar Association Foundation to support this grant.

National Association of Public Interest Law (now Equal Justice Works) Fellowship: Advocate on behalf of mentally ill and developmentally disabled prisoners in Florida. An additional $26,000 was donated by FILS Advocacy Center to support this grant.

Steckley Lee advocated and litigated on behalf of ex-offenders re-entering society by challenging complicated local and state rules placing restrictions on where they may live, work and travel. In addition to the Foundation’s sponsorship, Equal Justice works matched $29,000.

Ariel Patterson provided comprehensive, unbiased, and legal-minded credit counseling to often-targeted low-income consumers in the greater Jacksonville area. In addition to the Foundation’s sponsorship, Equal Justice works matched $29,000 and The Florida Bar sponsored $25,000.

Katherine DeBriere focused on the failure of the criminal justice system to identify and accommodate individuals with developmental disabilities who have been charged with a crime. Focusing first in Alachua County, Katherine provided education and resources to those working within the criminal justice system and caretakers of people with MR/DD.

Leisa Morrill-Wintz provided education, outreach and representation to teenagers in Broward County in the areas of dating, domestic, repeat and sexual violence. In addition to the Foundation’s sponsorship, The Florida Bar sponsored $25,000 and Equal Justice Works matched $29,000.

Laura Chilcutt collaborated with social service providers, law enforcement and other agencies to provide holistic representation to clients. This project provided well-rounded services to victims of trafficking throughout all of Florida. In addition to the Foundation’s sponsorship, Greenberg Traurig LLP sponsored $26,000 and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation sponsored $52,000.

Peterson St. Philippe provided legal representation to Haitian immigrants in Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pinellas counties. Through the project, St. Philippe increased immigration relief through outreach and legal rights presentations. Additionally, he met the community’s needs by directly representing community members in immigration court. The Florida Bar sponsored $25,000 in addition to the Foundation’s sponsorship.

Ericka Garcia provided holistic representation to foster children with developmental disabilities. In addition to the Foundation’s sponsorship, Greenberg Traurig LLP sponsored $37,500 and Equal Justice Works matched $29,000.

Shelly Campbell reached out to veterans by providing free legal assistance and access to justice. She provided assistance on matters including VA benefits assistance, foreclosure prevention and bankruptcy. Other issues to be addressed include consumer issues, wills, housing issues, family law matters and re-employment issues. Cobb Cole sponsored $52,000 in addition to the Foundation’s sponsorship.

Ashley Ortagus provided dependent and delinquent teen mothers with holistic direct representation, systemic relief through litigation and education. She represented teen moms on issues such as dependency hearings, family law and child support and domestic violence injunctions. Greenberg Traurig LLP sponsored $90,000 in addition to the Foundation’s sponsorship.

Karen Winston provided legal outreach, advocacy, and representation to immigrant detainees at the Baker County Detention Center. Winston interviewed immigrants held at Baker and determined whether they may be eligible for VAWA, U-visa, asylum, or other forms relief. The Florida Bar sponsored $25,000 and Equal Justice Works matched $22,000 in addition to the Foundation’s sponsorship.

Dante Trevisani’s project project aimed to legally challenge some of the financial obstacles to civil rights restoration as well as produce manuals for ex-prisoners and practitioners on how to navigate the post-release system. Equal Justice Works matched $22,000 in addition to the Foundation’s sponsorship.

Beverly Brown’s project involved direct representation of parents who have children with disabilities or the children themselves. She advocated on behalf of parents and students to ensure that school systems, penal institutions, and community colleges provide services guaranteed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (504) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Franco Torres – Americans for Immigrant Justice, Miami. Provide legal representation to immigrants detained at Florida detention facilities and for detainees whose constitutional rights have been violated.

Betsy Havens – Florida Legal Services Inc., Miami. Help disadvantaged children in Miami access vital health care services by eliminating systemic barriers through direct client representation, community engagement, policy advocacy and impact litigation.