Pro Bono Champions

James Schwitalla, Esq., longtime Put Something Back Bankruptcy attorney, speaker and mentor, leads by example giving back his time and expertise to those in need handling dozens of cases and mentoring countless students. “If you are reading this, you are blessed with many gifts of time, treasure and talent. Give back a tiny fraction of these gifts to people who are struggling, through Put Something Back that makes it easy for you to help the poorest of the poor among us. The only thing you have to do is say “yes.”

Jessica Shraybman, Esq., founder and managing partner of Shraybman Law PLLC, comes up with out of the box solutions for her clients, including startups and creatives. She has handled multiple Copyright matters, staffs a variety of legal clinics, and been a featured speaker for Put Something Back’s Venture Law Project, Arts Business Council, Inc. and The LAB Miami. She is a tremendous asset to our agency and to Miami’s micro-entrepreneurial community, assisting dozens of pro bono creatives and startups.

Frank Florio, Esq., an associate at Kozyak, Tropin Throckmorton in Coral Gables, whose practice focuses on complex litigation, successfully represented sisters with special needs to ultimately reunify them with their mother. He also represents a teenage boy with serious abuse issues and is incredibly proactive taking on more components of a case and providing detailed updates on his successes!! He is a true champion for children and rising star in our legal community!!

The Honorable Stan Blake of Stanford Blake Mediation, tirelessly advocates for Put Something Back and pours his heart and soul into furthering its mission of providing pro bono attorneys for those in need. “I support Put Something Back because we are fortunate to be put in a position to be able to give back to those less fortunate. Our profession gives us the opportunity to help others and the feeling of doing that gives me as much satisfaction as I’m sure they feel.” Thank You!!!

Vanessa Vasquez de Lara, Esq., founder of Vasquez de Lara Law Group, has handled more than 43 pro bono family law cases and serves as a guardian ad litem often. She is a frequent speaker and presenter at CLE seminars, and has been featured on TV discussing family law topics. To date, Ms. Vasquez de Lara has dedicated over 385 pro bono hours through Put Something Back in addition to founding her own nonprofit. “The best family law attorney ever!” said one client.

Joseph P. George, Jr., Esq., of Joseph P. George, Jr., P.A., has dedicated hundreds of hours assisting multiple clients with probate, guardianship and trust administration cases. An enthusiastic pro bono attorney for years with leadership roles in both the DCBA and SMKB, he dedicates his time to serving those in need in the community leading vital initiatives to help make access to the courts a reality for those in need.

Andres F. Daza, Esq., of Counselor Daza P.A., a 2016 Cum Laude graduate of Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, became a member of The Florida Bar in 2017 and has already handled 23 pro bono cases! He graciously accepted 19 immigration and four family cases, transforming lives for many less fortunate individuals facing extreme economic and societal hardships and with nowhere else to turn to for assistance. We are beyond grateful to him for exemplary service and look forward to many more years ahead!

Haitian Lawyers Association has been serving the unmet needs of our community for years. Under the leadership of President Francesse Lucius, HLA has held multiple virtual webinars and workshops on topics ranging from housing, employment, domestic violence, immigration, citizenship, juvenile dependency, delinquency, and voter registration, in collaboration with Dade Legal Aid and other community partners. Additionally, HLA’s distinguished members continually go above and beyond to serve in various public sector, pro bono, and bar leadership positions.

Arya Attari, Esq., Daniel Gross, Esq., Allie Watson Esq., et al, of Ver Ploeg & Marino, experienced Miami Insurance Law, Litigation & Appeals Attorneys, have accepted numerous complex children’s cases with the Child Advocacy Project. Arya is handling a case for an Autistic child who was removed from home due to severe physical abuse, Daniel was appointed for a teen in dependency to address issues regarding prescribed psychotropic medication., and Allie represents a 4 year old with Autism in need of critical services. Ver Ploeg’s outstanding attorneys also recruit friends and colleagues to handle cases for the project.

Samuel Kern Alexander, III, a Professor of Banking Regulation, Postgraduate Director of Studies and International Scholar, has handled 28 Patent pro bono cases for low-income inventors with Put Something Back helping to bring their dreams to fruition. He is a seasoned mentor of dozens of students and the author fascinating research articles and best selling books. Kern, based in Zurich, is always ready and willing to be of service whenever called upon.

Vivian Maria Niebla, Esq, of the Niebla Probate Firm, has been actively involved and dedicated to pro bono cases for over 20 years, exclusively practicing in the areas of probate administration, guardianship administration, and estate planning. She has assisted over a dozen low-income pro bono clients through Put Something Back during their most challenging times. We are grateful to her for her support and assistance whenever called up to serve.

Carl M. Sugarman, Esq., of Sugarman & Sugarman P.A., Reak Estate and Probate Attorneys in Pinecrest, has focused his practice and been serving our community in the areas of Real Estate, Probate, Title Insurance and Estate Planning for over 45 years. He has generously donated over 135 hours of his time and vast experience handling pro bono Deeds cases for low-income Put Something Back clients.

Valentin I. Arenas, Esq., a corporate associate at Nelson Mullins Broad and Cassel in Miami, represents early and mid-stage companies in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and general corporate matters. To date, he has expended nearly 50 hours handling six separate pro bono cases through Put Something Back’s Venture Law Project and he is just getting started! He and his firm are deeply passionate about serving pro bono clients and dedicated to helping those in need.

Lourdes Hilliard, Esq. is the founder of The Brand Protected, an intellectual property firm that helps entrepreneurs navigate the laws pertaining to their industry and protect their brand through one-on-one counseling. She has handled over two dozen pro bono cases and strategically collaborates with Put Something Back to maximize brand protection for under-served business leaders by serving as a guest lecturer, adviser, and pro bono counsel. BRAVO!

The Bankruptcy Bar Association of the Southern District of Florida and The University of Miami School of Law Eleanor and A Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Clinic have fielded hundreds of callers from low income debtors to tenants to veterans in desperate need of legal services regarding issues pertaining to The CARES Act, FEMA, Evictions, Unemployment and more. Professors Patricia Redmond and Allison Day in conjunction with Peter Kelly, Maite Diaz and others have answered countless calls for help since March.