‘David and Goliath’ firms to receive commendation for pro bono work
Monday, January 08
- Organization: The Florida Bar
Tallahassee-- Two Florida law firms, one a father and son practice in Port St. Lucie and the other a multinational firm with 23 offices worldwide, have been selected as recipients of the 2007 Law Firm Commendation. The award will be conferred by Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis at a January 25 ceremony at the Florida Supreme Court.
The purpose of the Law Firm Commendation is to recognize law firms that have demonstrated a significant contribution in the delivery of legal services to individuals or groups on a pro bono basis. Because of the extraordinary contribution of pro bono services by the two firms, both were selected to receive the award.
Hogan & Hartson LLP
With more than 1,000 lawyers practicing in 23 offices worldwide, Hogan & Hartson opened in Miami in 2000 and West Palm Beach in 2004. In June 2006, the firm was named one of the top 20 firms in the U.S. by The American Lawyer. The Lawyer Global 100 lists Hogan & Hartson as a “Top 30” global law firm by revenue.
More than 35 years ago, Hogan & Hartson became one of the first major law firms in the world to establish a separate practice devoted exclusively to providing pro bono legal services. Today, the firm has one of the leading and most active pro bono programs in the nation.
In 2005, 35 lawyers in the firm’s South Florida Offices spent a total of 2,045 on pro bono work. The total pro bono hours contributed in 2005 by the firm’s personnel in South Florida, including summer associates and legal assistants, was over 2,360 hours. As of September 2006, the firm’s 38 lawyers in its South Florida offices had accumulated a total of 2,176 pro bono hours.
In November 2006, Hogan & Hartson won a $4 million verdict for a former employee of the Department of Homeland Security despite the fact that it was retained pro bono just weeks before the trial date. The effort required reviewing a year’s worth of litigation and discovery between the parties and an entire litigation file from a previous case and filing an appeal on an expedited basis.
Hogan & Hartson’s Miami-based lawyers continue to work with the Guardian ad Litem program and to provide legal counsel to nonprofit organizations. In 2005, a pro bono team from the Miami office settled one of three public accommodations discrimination lawsuits that the firm filed on behalf of the NAACP and individual African Americans against restaurants in South Carolina.
A 1969 memorandum from the firm’s leadership regarding the formation of its Community Services Department includes the following clarion call. “It is abundantly clear … that no longer can persons or groups pursue their own careers or interests unmindful of the needs in the rest of their community. The problems of our cities and country are such that they affect all of us.”
MESSER & MESSER
When Senior Partner Roger N. Messer began his St. Lucie County practice in the late 1970s, he immediately accepted seven pro bono guardianship cases. His work, both as an attorney and a guardian, on behalf of these individuals spanned 20 years.
In 1983, Messer became pro bono legal counsel for the Florida Lion’s Foundation for the Blind, Inc., which provides payment for sight-saving eye surgery for poor and indigent Floridians. In that capacity, he has handled numerous litigation matters, as well as probate and trust. He also successfully lobbied the Legislature to restore state funding for the Division of Blind Services Eye Medical Program. Mr. Messer has never accepted reimbursement for his work on behalf of the organization.
Prior to joining his father’s firm in 2001, Steven A. Messer worked for Florida Rural Legal Services. In 2002 and 2003, he was named Port St. Lucie’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year by the St. Lucie County Pro Bono Committee.
Steven Messer has chaired an annual golf tournament fundraiser for Florida Legal Rural Services and currently is working pro bono in litigation on behalf of the Florida Lion’s Camp for Visually Handicapped Children. Located in Polk County, the camp was struck by three hurricanes in 2004. It currently is in a dispute with its insurance company over replacement cost and coverage issues.
In the past four years, Steven Messer has handled 18 cases referred by Florida Rural Legal Services. He is actively involved in the recruitment, retention and recognition of pro bono attorneys for the Port St. Lucie Bar Association.
Said one nominator, “The Messer & Messer Law Firm is a shining example of how one small firm can change the world, ensuring that equal access to justice is available to all.”
The awards ceremony will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, January 25 at the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee.
The purpose of the Law Firm Commendation is to recognize law firms that have demonstrated a significant contribution in the delivery of legal services to individuals or groups on a pro bono basis. Because of the extraordinary contribution of pro bono services by the two firms, both were selected to receive the award.
Hogan & Hartson LLP
With more than 1,000 lawyers practicing in 23 offices worldwide, Hogan & Hartson opened in Miami in 2000 and West Palm Beach in 2004. In June 2006, the firm was named one of the top 20 firms in the U.S. by The American Lawyer. The Lawyer Global 100 lists Hogan & Hartson as a “Top 30” global law firm by revenue.
More than 35 years ago, Hogan & Hartson became one of the first major law firms in the world to establish a separate practice devoted exclusively to providing pro bono legal services. Today, the firm has one of the leading and most active pro bono programs in the nation.
In 2005, 35 lawyers in the firm’s South Florida Offices spent a total of 2,045 on pro bono work. The total pro bono hours contributed in 2005 by the firm’s personnel in South Florida, including summer associates and legal assistants, was over 2,360 hours. As of September 2006, the firm’s 38 lawyers in its South Florida offices had accumulated a total of 2,176 pro bono hours.
In November 2006, Hogan & Hartson won a $4 million verdict for a former employee of the Department of Homeland Security despite the fact that it was retained pro bono just weeks before the trial date. The effort required reviewing a year’s worth of litigation and discovery between the parties and an entire litigation file from a previous case and filing an appeal on an expedited basis.
Hogan & Hartson’s Miami-based lawyers continue to work with the Guardian ad Litem program and to provide legal counsel to nonprofit organizations. In 2005, a pro bono team from the Miami office settled one of three public accommodations discrimination lawsuits that the firm filed on behalf of the NAACP and individual African Americans against restaurants in South Carolina.
A 1969 memorandum from the firm’s leadership regarding the formation of its Community Services Department includes the following clarion call. “It is abundantly clear … that no longer can persons or groups pursue their own careers or interests unmindful of the needs in the rest of their community. The problems of our cities and country are such that they affect all of us.”
MESSER & MESSER
When Senior Partner Roger N. Messer began his St. Lucie County practice in the late 1970s, he immediately accepted seven pro bono guardianship cases. His work, both as an attorney and a guardian, on behalf of these individuals spanned 20 years.
In 1983, Messer became pro bono legal counsel for the Florida Lion’s Foundation for the Blind, Inc., which provides payment for sight-saving eye surgery for poor and indigent Floridians. In that capacity, he has handled numerous litigation matters, as well as probate and trust. He also successfully lobbied the Legislature to restore state funding for the Division of Blind Services Eye Medical Program. Mr. Messer has never accepted reimbursement for his work on behalf of the organization.
Prior to joining his father’s firm in 2001, Steven A. Messer worked for Florida Rural Legal Services. In 2002 and 2003, he was named Port St. Lucie’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year by the St. Lucie County Pro Bono Committee.
Steven Messer has chaired an annual golf tournament fundraiser for Florida Legal Rural Services and currently is working pro bono in litigation on behalf of the Florida Lion’s Camp for Visually Handicapped Children. Located in Polk County, the camp was struck by three hurricanes in 2004. It currently is in a dispute with its insurance company over replacement cost and coverage issues.
In the past four years, Steven Messer has handled 18 cases referred by Florida Rural Legal Services. He is actively involved in the recruitment, retention and recognition of pro bono attorneys for the Port St. Lucie Bar Association.
Said one nominator, “The Messer & Messer Law Firm is a shining example of how one small firm can change the world, ensuring that equal access to justice is available to all.”
The awards ceremony will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, January 25 at the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee.
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