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Dade Legal Aid Presented the Inaugural Maurice Jay Kutner Family Law Excellence Award to Jacqueline M. Valdespino, Esq.

Dade Legal Aid presented its inaugural Maurice Jay Kutner Family Law Excellence Award to Jacqueline Valdespino at the 33rd Annual Nuts & Bolts of Family Law Seminar on May 29. This newly established award honors the legacy of “Kutner,” who dedicated his career to professionalism, mentorship, and transparency in family law. He was also a driving force behind the success of this annual seminar, which has recruited and trained hundreds of pro bono family attorneys over the years. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1965, Kutner served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps and worked as a public defender before entering private practice. A longtime leader in the legal community, he chaired both The Florida Bar and American Bar Association Family Law Sections, and was a founder of the First Family Law Inn of Court, Miami Chapter. Kutner passed away in October 2020. This year’s seminar was dedicated to his memory. Jacqueline M. Valdespino received the inaugural Kutner Family Law Excellence Award, presented by the Put Something Back Pro Bono Project. Like Kutner, Valdespino is a frequent speaker and mentor to staff and pro bono family law attorneys, continuing his legacy of service and leadership.

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