TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Bar, the statewide professional and regulatory organization for lawyers, today released new statistics detailing the contributions of attorneys across the state in free legal services and direct legal aid funding. According to the new figures, nearly 30,000 of Florida's 70,000 lawyers provided more than 1.3 million hours of pro bono service from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002, and 6,784 lawyers contributed $2.5 million directly to legal aid organizations.

"Florida has one of the most aggressive pro bono legal services programs of any state in the nation, encouraging attorneys to provide free services and requiring them to report their contributions on an annual basis," said Florida Bar President Tod Aronovitz. "Despite the misperceptions many people have about lawyers, the truth is that the legal profession is absolutely dedicated to making the law work for everyone, and we want to make a difference in the life of our community."

The term pro bono, derived from the Latin phrase pro bono publico, means "for the good of the public."

According to Aronovitz, the 1.3 million hours of pro bono work contributed by lawyers amount to more than $65 million in free services, when calculated according to an estimate of $50 per hour in fees. The new statistics represent an increase in pro bono services over the previous year, when approximately 29,000 Florida attorneys provided $1.2 million hours of free service and $2.4 million in direct legal aid contributions.

Twenty Florida lawyers will receive The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Award at an annual awards ceremony, this year to be held Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Florida Supreme Court. Pro bono awards will also be given by Chief Justice Harry Lee Anstead for an outstanding individual contribution and a voluntary bar's organizational efforts, as well as a law firm commendation award. The Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar will present its annual public service award to an attorney. (Please see above link for full news release.)

In 1993, the Florida Supreme Court adopted a pro bono plan that encourages attorneys to give at least 20 hours per year in free legal services to the poor or contribute a minimum of $350 to legal aid organizations. Included in the Supreme Court plan was a mandatory requirement that every lawyer report whether he or she did or did not participate.

"Pro bono contributions from the legal profession have risen steadily through the years, and our goal is to see every Florida lawyer participate and give back to the community," said Aronovitz. "Many of your friends and neighbors are lawyers, they have families, they participate in community groups, and they want a brighter future for our state, just like everyone else."

About The Florida Bar: A guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, The Florida Bar is the statewide professional and regulatory organization for lawyers. With more than 70,000 members, the Bar serves as an intermediary for attorneys, the courts and the public. Headquartered in Tallahassee, the Bar is a unified state bar by rule of the Supreme Court of Florida. Membership in The Florida Bar is a necessary component of Supreme Court regulation for all lawyers licensed to practice law in Florida. The foundation for the organization is built on a philosophy of equity and ethics. Through its programs and services, the Bar supports this philosophy with four pillars that function as the mission of The Florida Bar: providing public service, protecting rights, promoting professionalism and pursuing justice. For further information, visit The Florida Bar online at www.flabar.org.

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[Updated: 07-01-2005 ]