Each year the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar give special recognition to lawyers who have freely given their time and expertise in making legal services available to the poor.The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Awardis given to an outstanding attorneyin each of the state's judicial circuits. TheTobias Simon Pro Bono Service Awardis a statewide award presented by the Chief Justice to an individual attorney who exemplifies the highest ideals of the profession in assuring the availability of legal services to the poor. The award is named for the late Miami civil rights lawyer, Tobias Simon.

TheChief Justice's Law Firm Commendationis a statewide award that recognizes, when appropriate, a law firm which has demonstrated a significant contribution in the provision of legal services on a pro bono basis to individuals or groups that cannot otherwise afford the services. TheVoluntary Bar Association Pro Bono Service Awardpresented by the Chief Justice is a statewide award to recognize, when appropriate, a voluntary bar association which has demonstrated a significant contribution in the delivery of legal services to individuals or groups on a pro bono basis that cannot otherwise afford the services.

The Chief Justice's Distinguished Judicial Service Awardis a newly created award intended to recognize judges for outstanding and sustained service to the public through legal or civic service, especially as it relates to support of pro bono legal services.

If you know of a lawyer, law firm, or local bar association in your community that you believe meets the qualifications for an award, please contact the circuit committee chair in your area. A list of their names, addresses, and telephone numbers and nomination forms are available on this site. Please use them to present the reasons for nominating the attorney, law firm, or local bar association you believe to be deserving of this special recognition.

Please note that the pro bono service contribution may be cumulative. Consideration is not limited to the events of the immediate past year.

Please also note the details requested by the Chief Justice's Advisory Committee for the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award, the Law Firm Commendation, and the Voluntary Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award. Unlike the Circuit Committees, the Advisory Committee seldom has firsthand knowledge of the nominees and must rely solely on the written materials.

The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2006 awards is September 30, 2005.

The 2006 Pro Bono awards ceremony will be on February 16, 2006.

If you have any questions, please contact the Circuit Committee Chair in your area or contact The Florida Bar at (850)561-5669 or (800)342-8060, extension 5669, or contact Jennifer Krell Davis via email at jdavis@flabar.org.