ANNUAL GETTING A HEAD START ON PRO BONO GATHERING A HUGE SUCCESS

Miami, FL – Over 75 summer associates, law clerks and public interest interns from a dozen different law firms, law schools, and public interest offices gathered for Dade Legal Aid’s “Eleventh Annual Getting a Head Start on Pro Bono for Summer Associates,” co-hosted by the Miami Offices of Hogan Lovells US LLP. 

“We lawyers have a responsibility to help the less fortunate navigate the complexities of our legal system.  For over eleven years now, Hogan Lovells has really enjoyed working with Karen Ladis and Dade Legal Aid to help get the word out to all young lawyers about the importance of pro bono work.”  Alvin Lindsay, Partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP and Miami Office Pro Bono Champion.

After a brief introduction by Hogan Lovells Partner Alvin F. Lindsay, Esquire, and Karen Ladis, Director, Dade Legal Aid – Put Something Back, The Honorable Paul C. Huck, Senior Judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, The Honorable Nushin G. Sayfie, Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, and The Honorable Zachary James, Circuit Judge, all spoke to the law clerks in attendance about the importance of pro bono. 

Judge Huck, in particular, challenged all those in attendance to work “in the service of others.”  As he so eloquently stated, “we lawyers should do pro bono work not only because it helps those in most need, but because it makes you feel so good.” 

The event was coordinated by Victoria Q. DeBayle, Esquire, of Hogan Lovells, with invaluable assistance from the Hogan Miami staff, in particular, Ileana Cobas, Marketing and Business Manager, and included law students clerking for other law firms across South Florida including Akerman, Day Pitney, Foley & Lardner, Greenberg Traurig, Greenspoon Marder, Hogan Lovells, Holland & Knight, Hunton Andrews Kurth, Pillsbury Winthrop,  Podhurst Orseck Josefsberg, Rumberger Kirk, Shook Hardy & Bacon, Shutts & Bowen, Stearns Weaver Miller, and more. Also in attendance: Stephanie Grosman, Esq., Dade Legal Aid, Erik Alexander of Truist, the Honorable Lody Jean, and summer interns from the US District Court, US Trustee’s Office, Dade Legal Aid, the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, and Catholic Charities.

“It was very inspiring to be in a room filled with enthusiastic young and future lawyers who are already committed to meeting their pro bono obligation. I left the event feeling optimistic and hopeful and I am so grateful to have participated in it.”  Honorable Nushin G. Sayfie, Chief Judge. Eleventh Judicial Circuit

Many thanks to Alvin Lindsay, Victoria DeBayle and the entire Hogan Lovells US LLP law firm for generously hosting this event on the importance of pro bono for the eleventh year. 

Alvin F. Lindsay, Partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP and Miami-Office Pro Bono “Champion”