ANNUAL LEGAL AID PRO BONO AWARDS

At the May 27, 2010, evening OCBA ‘luncheon’, pro bono awards were presented to the outstanding individuals and firm that provided outstanding work during 2009. Outgoing Legal Aid Board of Trustees President, Heather Pinder Rodriguez, presented the awards with an assist from incoming President Jamie Moses.

The Volunteer Advocate for Children Award is presented annually to a lay volunteer in the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program to recognize that volunteer’s commitment to serving abused and neglected children in our community. Lorraine Caponi and Charlotte Blackburn were each recognized for their work.

A new award for a Law Student Award of Merit was presented to Meredith Hinshelwood formerly of Barry University, and Laura Sanchez of FAMU.

The New Lawyer Award presented to an Orange County Bar member who is participating significantly in pro bono work and has five year of practice in Florida was presented to Eric Eisnaugle, State House Representative and and Kristopher Kest of Lowndes Drosdick Doster Kantor and Reed, PA.

Individual Awards of Merit were awarded in two groups acknowledging the exceptional contributions and unique work associated with each group. The Guardian ad Litem Award of Excellence was presented to attorneys primarily handling GAL cases. Brian De Gailler of Broussard Cullen and DeGailler, R David de Armas of Cramer Price and de Armas, Robert E Drean, and Kenneth J McKenna of Dellecker Wilson King McKenna and Ruffier.

A Pro Bono Champion Award is presented to attorneys handling casework other than GAL. Derrick E Cox of Hurley Rogner Miller Cox Waranch & Westcott, Kevin J Mangum, Michael L Moore, and Gerald S Rutberg.

The Government Attorney Award of Merit recognizes the efforts of government attorneys (who generally do not do LAS casework and cannot match the hours by casework participants) but who have provided significant commitment to pro bono work and Pamela Smith, Assistant State Attorney, was the recipient.

Gene S. Boger, now retired, was the received the Homeless Advocacy Project Award for his decade of work with the project. Salaam G Dreher was recognized for his work with ninth grade teen parents as part of the Teen Parent Education Project Award.

The Law Firm Award of Merit is presented to the firm whose firm members have provided significant pro bono work in casehandling during the past year and over the firm’s history. This year Page Eichenblatt Bernbaum and Bennett PA. Firm members are Greg Page, Steve Eichenblatt, Brian Bernbaum, Brian Bennett and Nick Shannin.

The Judge J C Jake Stone Distinguished Service Award is the highest pro bono recognition from Legal Aid. Named for the late county judge, winners must have made outstanding contributions over their careers primarily through casework. They also must have received an Individual Award of Merit. This year Legal Aid presented this honor to Neal J Blaher of the Law Office of Neal Blaher. Neal was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1987 and joined the pro bono panel the following year. He has handle Guardian ad Litem cases since 1987 and has helped more than 89 children. Neal has He has contributed over 1400 hours on completed cases.