HIGHLIGHTS FROM VIEW FROM BENCH FAMILY SEMINAR

This seminar was a huge success thanks to the combined efforts of the Judiciary, the Court, the Speakers, Sponsors and Attendees! If you missed the live version of the seminar on November 15 and would like a copy of the recording of the training and CLE credits, please email psb@dadelegalaid.org.   Seminar and CLE free for all attorneys who take a family pro bono case from Put Something Back.  For more information about the seminar and to View Photo Gallery, scroll down.

On Friday, November 15, Dade Legal Aid hosted the 39^th Annual View from the Bench Family Law Seminar in conjunction with the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Family Division and Kornreich & Associates. The seminar brought together distinguished judges, attorneys, and legal professionals to discuss critical issues and emerging trends in family law. In addition to fostering insightful dialogue, the seminar provided invaluable training to over 120 attorneys, equipping them to meet the growing demand for pro bono legal representation in family law cases across Miami-Dade County. The View from the Bench Seminar stands as a pillar of professional excellence and service, fostering a network of dedicated legal advocates who work tirelessly to support the unmet needs of the legal community. With its rich history and enduring impact, the seminar continues to inspire and mobilize attorneys to make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless families.

The event commenced with welcoming remarks by Karen J. Ladis, Esq., Executive Director of Dade Legal Aid/Put Something Back; Amber Kornreich, Esq., Partner at Kornreich & Associates; and Gerald I. Kornreich, Esq., Founder of Kornreich & Associates.  Mr. Kornreich, who has served as the event’s dedicated moderator and organizer for nearly four decades, reflected on the seminar’s enduring legacy and stated that, “This program has successfully recruited thousands of attorneys over the years, empowering them to handle pro bono family and guardian ad litem cases. It is a testament to our shared commitment to ensuring access to justice for families in need.” This seminar was free for all attorneys who agreed to accept a family law case from Dade Legal Aid's Put Something Back Project.

Chief Judge Nushin G. Sayfie spoke on the importance of providing pro bono work, emphasizing the need for attorneys to take on family and guardian ad litem pro bono cases: “In today’s world, a lawyer has become a luxury that not all litigants can afford.  More than ever, we need lawyers to provide pro bono services so that our courts can continue to deliver justice to all. The judges and magistrates of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit are so grateful to Put Something Back and to the lawyers of Miami-Dade County for their ongoing commitment to pro bono.”

Presenters for the Family Division included Administrative Judge Samantha Ruiz Cohen, Associate Administrative Judge Victoria del Pino, Associate Administrative Judge George Sarduy, Judge Veronica Diaz, and Judge Marlene Fernandez-Karavetsos. Topics included conversations about Professionalism in Courtroom Proceedings, Updated Time Standards in Family Cases, Motions for Temporary Relocation, and Laying the Foundation for Bank Records. The seminar also included a presentation on relevant Case Law and Legislative Updates by Maria C. Gonzalez, Esq. along with remarks from Miami Dade Bar President Charise Morgan on the importance of service.

Karen Ladis and Chief Judge Sayfie presented pro bono awards to Madelin Diaz for her outstanding support of Dade Legal Aid, Silvia Perez for 20 years of dedicated service as a Domestic Violence Attorney, and Lisette Sanabria Dede for her dedication and commitment to the View from the Bench. Additionally, Chief Judge Sayfie and Administrative Judge Samanth Ruiz Cohen presented the 2024 Ray Pearson Outstanding “GAL" Award to Patricia Mesa.

The seminar was generously sponsored by First Family Inns of Court, Kornreich & Associates and Pablo Gomez, CDRE. Dade Legal Aid/ Put Something Back sincerely thanks each speaker, sponsor, and participant for giving their time and talent to making this year’s seminar a success. For more information about the seminar, please contact psb@dadelegalaid.org. To accept a pro bono family case, please contact bbonner@dadelegalaid.org

THANK YOU EVENT SPONSORS

Kornreich & Associates, First Family Inns of Court, Miami Dade Bar Associatio, Pablo Gomez, P.A. The Gomez Group