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In the aftermath of the earthquake that devastated Haiti Jan. 12, the U.S. government extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitians already living in the United States.

In response, The Florida Bar Foundation has awarded grants totaling $297,000 to legal aid offices in Florida that have seen an influx of Haitians applying for TPS, which would allow them to live and work in the United States for 18 months from January 2010.   Read more

In this photo: Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center attorneys help eligible Haitians during FIAC's TPS Clinic. The clinic was held in January at Florida International University's North Campus.

Brevard Legal Aid launches "Pro Bono Promise"

Brevard County Legal Aid is giving area lawyers the chance to give back to their community on their own timetable through a new initiative called Brevard’s Pro Bono Promise.

Launched in October, Brevard’s Pro Bono Promise offers training along with opportunities to participate in pro bono services that take less time than traditional pro bono cases.

And their efforts are making a difference.   Read more

In this photo: Chief Judge J. Preston Silvernail of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit encourages attorneys to volunteer to help one client.

Florida Leadership Development Institute helps legal aid attorneys emerge as leaders

Lawyer Roberto Cruz didn’t know it then, but the challenges of raising an autistic son would be the catalyst that changed his career.

After moving his family from Puerto Rico to Florida in hopes for a better quality of life for his son, Cruz, a business and government attorney, soon turned to championing the rights of the disabled.  Read more

In this photo: The Florida Leadershp Development Institute class of 2009-10.

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Thanks to the generosity and continued commitment of our supporters, the Foundation has seen an increase in giving in both the End-of-Year and Lawyers' Challenge for Children campaigns.

In 2009-10, $13,642 was raised in the End-of -Year campaign, a 50 percent increase compared to the $9,100 raised in 2008-09.

The Lawyers' Challenge for Children saw a 10 percent increase in giving, raising $160,425 in 2009-10, compared to $147,223 raised in the 2008-09 fiscal year. The LCC campaign and this year's End-of-Year campaign benefited the Foundation's Children's Legal Services Grant Program. The 2008-09 End of the Year campaign benefited the Foundation's Legal Services Summer Fellowship Program.

The Foundation would once again like to extend thanks to all of its supporters!