TALLAHASSEE -- Twenty-one lawyers will receive The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award for their commitment to providing free legal services to the poor. The awards ceremony well be held at the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday, January 29, at 3:30 p.m.

The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award was established in 1981 as a way to recognize individual lawyers within Florida's judicial circuits who are committed to providing free legal services to the poor. The term "pro bono," derived from the Latin phrase "pro bono publico," means "for the good of the public." In 2001-02, Florida lawyers donated more than 1.3 million pro bono hours and $2.5 million dollars in monetary contributions.

 

Other awards to be presented during the ceremony include the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award. Given by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, this award recognizes a lawyer who has made outstanding contributions to legal services for the poor. Chief Justice Harry Lee Anstead will present this year's award to Tampa attorney Edward M. Waller, Jr. The Miami law firm of Kozyak, Tropin & Throckmorton, P.A. will receive the Law Firm Commendation Award. The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division will present their Young Lawyers Division Public Service Award to attorney Thomas Zehnder of Orlando.

 

The 21 recipients of The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award are:

 

MICHAEL GUTTMANN -- Pensacola -- First Judicial Circuit

Michael Guttmann graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville in 1978 where he obtained a B.S. in Economics. He earned a J.D. from the University of Florida School of Law in 1981. Mr. Guttmann has been in private practice in Pensacola for 22 years, and has been a sole practitioner for 16. Currently his primary area of practice is family law. Mr. Guttmann has taken on the Department of Environmental Protection and a developer in a pro bono suit defending the seagrasses of Big Lagoon. He regularly gives family law clinics for pro se litigants through Northwest Florida Legal Services. He has also represented elderly clients who are involuntarily subject to adult protective services.

 

ROBERT S. COHEN – Tallahassee – Second Judicial Circuit

Judge Cohen graduated from Brandeis University in 1979 with a B.A. cum laude in American Studies. He graduated in 1981 from the Florida State University College of Law. After 20 years in private practice, concentrating in administrative and civil law, Judge Cohen was recently appointed as the Director and Chief Administrative Law Judge at the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings. He has performed his pro bono work through the Legal Aid Foundation of the Tallahassee Bar Association. Judge Cohen has represented indigent clients in countless legal matters for nearly 20 years and has also served as a frequent presenter before the United Way to help secure funding for pro bono programs.

 

GUY W. NORRIS -- Lake City – Third Judicial Circuit

Guy W. Norris earned his undergraduate and J. D. degrees from the University of Florida. He began his legal career with the firm of Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Keiner, Wack and Dickson, P.A. in Orlando. In 1993, he returned to his hometown of Lake City to join Norris & Johnson, P.A. Mr. Norris practices in the areas of Real Property, Business Law, Civil Litigation, Probate and Estate Planning. He is the Co-Author of both "Acreage" and "Timberlands," Florida Real Property Complex Transactions, 3d edition, 2000. Mr. Norris provides legal assistance through the Three Rivers Legal Services in the Third Circuit, where he assists primarily in commercial relations cases. He also regularly takes on pro bono cases through his law firm.

 

ALAN PICKERT -- Jacksonville -- Fourth Judicial Circuit

Alan Pickert is a partner in the Jacksonville law firm of Brown, Terrell, Hogan, Ellis, McClamma and Yegelwel. He practices in personal injury, toxic torts, products liability and medical malpractice law. Mr. Pickert graduated from the University of Florida in 1988 with honors and received his J.D. from the University of Florida Law School in 1991. Mr. Pickert has contributed hundreds of hours to helping the underprivileged and was instrumental in the "Jax Reads!" Program, designed to encourage all individuals to read particular books in order to participate in city wide discussions on the books. Mr. Pickert has also been heavily involved in assisting the homeless through the I.M. Sulzbacher Center. On the third Tuesday of every month, Mr. Pickert visits the shelter to assist the guests on legal issues including child support, divorce, personal injury, criminal law and labor law.

 

RICHARD A. PERRY -- Ocala – Fifth Judicial Circuit

Richard A. Perry is a partner in the law firm of Trow, Appleget & Perry located in Ocala, concentrating in commercial, bankruptcy and tax law. He received a bachelor's degree at the University of Florida and a J.D. at Nova Southeastern University. The pro bono work contributed by Mr. Perry is done through the Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Project and the Marion County Bar Association. Mr. Perry has represented numerous low income clients in danger of losing their homes either through foreclosure or due to unscrupulous dealings with lenders. This involves loan workouts, litigation in the state and bankruptcy courts, and representation in Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases.

 

JACK HELINGER – St. Petersburg -- Sixth Judicial Circuit

Jack Helinger is a partner in the firm of Louderback and Helinger, where he has been employed since 1982, practicing mainly in the areas of Criminal and Family Law. Mr. Helinger graduated from Georgia Tech cum laude with a B.S. in Management in 1973. He received his J.D. from Stetson College of Law in 1976. Mr. Helinger has been very active with the Community Law Program in St. Petersburg. For over 20 years he has regularly provided pro bono legal services for indigents primarily in the areas of family and criminal law. In 2003 the Community Law Program honored Mr. Helinger with its highest award, the David Stout Pro Bono Award for outstanding dedication and service in providing Pro Bono Legal Services to the poor of Pinellas County, Florida.

 

IRWIN CONNELLY – Bunnell – Seventh Judicial Circuit

Irwin Connelly received his B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1968. He then served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970, and graduated from University of Florida Law School in 1973. Mr. Connelly engaged in private practice (with part-time duties as an assistant Public Defender) for twenty-four years, serving eight years as the City Attorney for the City of Flagler Beach. Mr. Connelly is a volunteer attorney with Central Florida Legal Services, and also helped found and incorporate the Flagler County Humane Society. Since 1997, he has served at the volunteer lawyer clinics in Flagler County and has provided services at the Volunteer Lawyer Clinics and the Volunteer Project Workshop Clinics in Bunnell.

 

WALTER GREEN – Gainesville – Eighth Judicial Circuit

Walter Green is currently a Division Chief at the State Attorney's Office in Alachua County. Mr. Green graduated from Boston University with a B.A. in psychology. He graduated the University of Florida College of Law with a J.D. in 1988. Throughout his career, Mr. Green has provided hundreds of pro bono hours in the rehabilitation and counseling of prosecuted individuals and high-risk persons. He is active in the Youth Employment Start Program, where is has worked as a mentor for high-risk youth with criminal pasts. Mr. Green is also a member of Gentlemen of Distinction, which helps target high-risk youths by implementing positive role models.

 

CHRIS BALLENTINE – Orlando – Ninth Judicial Circuit

Chris Ballentine of Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap, P.A. has been in private practice since 1984. Mr. Ballentine litigates general liability, professional liability, and commercial disputes. He graduated from Florida State University summa cum laude, in 1981 and received his J.D. from the University of Florida in 1984, graduating with high honors. He was senior research editor on the law review. Mr. Ballentine has been an active member of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. He focuses on acting as a guardian ad litem for abused and neglected children.

 

SHERYL D. SNODGRASS – Lakeland – Tenth Judicial Circuit

Sheryl Snodgrass, with Carlton & Carlton, P. A. in Lakeland, was admitted to the Florida Bar in October 1983 and has practiced for 20 years. Her primary areas of practice include family law, dependency, appeals, and probate. She obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and graduated from the University of Florida College of Law. Throughout her career she has consistently represented clients in family law cases, including contested custody, through the Pro Bono Project of the Florida Rural Legal Services. Ms. Snodgrass has also served as a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for children in numerous family law, dependency and termination of parental rights cases.

 

ROBERT C. MEYER – Miami – Eleventh Judicial Circuit

Robert C. Meyer received his B.A. in History from Grinnell College in 1975. After one year as a journalist, he attended law school at the University of Miami from 1980 through 1983 and earned an LL.M. degree in taxation in 1984. Mr. Meyer opened his own practice in 1990, concentrating on bankruptcy, commercial litigation, taxation, and estate planning. Mr. Meyer has been involved with the Put Something Back program of the Dade County Bar Association and has provided more than 500 hours of Pro Bono assistance in numerous cases over the past several years. The most recent cases have been primarily outside of the bankruptcy forum, where he has defended foreclosures for indigent parties.

 

PAULETTE PACE – Bradenton – Twelfth Judicial Circuit

Paulette Pace graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 1968 and from Nova Southeastern Law School in 1984. Since 1985, Ms. Pace has been a member of Lawyers Referral Service, as well as the Legal Aid of Manasota, Inc. Ms. Pace has also volunteered for a Legal Advice Clinic. Ms. Pace has served on the board of Legal Aid of Manasota, Inc. and was a lecturer at its Family Law Seminar. Ms. Pace serves on the Pro Bono Committee for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, representing the Manatee County Chapter of the F.A.W.L. In the early 1990's, Ms. Pace became involved in the Manatee Community Council for Children. Ms. Pace has also been active with the Manatee County PACE Center for Girls, a program for troubled teenage girls, serving on the Board of Directors for 15 years, and the first president.

 

EDWARD M. WALLER, JR. -- Tampa – Thirteenth Judicial Circuit

Edward M. Waller, Jr. began the practice of law 36 years ago with Fowler White in Tampa. He graduated from Columbia University and the University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Waller has throughout his career donated hundreds of hours to pro bono clients. In addition to representing indigent clients, Mr. Waller has devoted hundreds of hours to improve the delivery of legal services to the poor. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Bay Area Legal Services (BALS) and served as its president. Further, Mr. Waller was instrumental in establishing a Development Council to create an endowment for BALS. Also, taking advantage of his class action experience, he has been responsible for obtaining several cy pres awards for BALS.

 

ALLEN N. JELKS, JR. – Panama City – Fourteenth Judicial Circuit

Allen N. Jelks, Jr., received a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Emory University, and received his J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law in 1984. Mr. Jelks has served as a member of or as pro bono counsel for numerous organizations, including the Northwest Side Volunteer Fire Department, Bay Environmental Study Team, Inc., North Bay Alert Community Improvement Association, Inc., The Jelks Family Foundation, Inc., the Board of Directors of the Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida, Inc., the Board of Trustees of Kaleidoscope Theatre, Citizens for the Bay, Inc., the Community Advisory Board for the Hope Program, the Board of Directors of 1000 Friends of Florida, Inc., the Chipola River District State Forest Management Liaison Panel, the Board of Directors of Legal Services of North Florida, Inc., and the Guardianship of Developmentally Delayed Citizens Committee for Bay County. Mr. Jelks co-chaired Bay County's First Saturday Legal Clinic during its early years and continues his volunteer work with that program.

 

JOSEPH N. NUSBAUM – Boca Raton – Fifteenth Judicial Circuit

Joseph N. Nusbaum attended the University of Miami where he received his B.A. in 1993. He then spent one year as a middle school teacher before attending Nova Southeastern University School of Law, where he received his J.D. in 1997. During his first year of law school, he did a clerkship at the Law Offices of Wolpe, Leibowitz, and Brotman. As an associate, and now a partner of Brotman, Nusman, and Fox, Mr. Nusbaum specializes in matters dealing in Medical Malpractice, Auto Accidents, Faulty or Unsafe Products, Premises Liability, and Nursing Home Negligence. Mr. Nusbaum volunteers with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc., and received its Juvenile Advocacy Law Award in 2002.

 

CHRISTINE E. PUTO-MURRAY – Marathon – Sixteenth Judicial Circuit

November 12, 1949 - April 20, 2003

Christine Puto-Murray was born in Miami and moved to Marathon l952 with her parents, John and Sylvia Puto. She received an associate's degree in business and commerce from St. Leo College, and a J.D. from Barry University School of Law in 1987. Her law practice included family law, real estate, and extensive pro bono work on behalf of children and the mentally-ill.

Ms. Puto-Murray was a devoted child advocate, serving on the Board of the Florida Keys Children's Shelter in 1998 and becoming the Board Vice-President in March 2002. As befitting her commitment to the children of the Florida Keys, the "Christine Puto-Murray Memorial Fund" was initiated after her death with the funds going to the Florida Keys Children's Shelter. Additionally, she donated hundreds of hours as a victim advocate on behalf of the mentally-ill.

She also provided pro bono services on behalf of many of the Middle Keys elderly.

 

NANCY W. GREGOIRE – Fort Lauderdale – Seventeenth Judicial Circuit

Nancy W. Gregoire graduated cum laude from University of Florida with a B.A. in Education in 1965. She received her Masters of Education from University of Florida in 1978, her Educational Specialist degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1978, and her J.D. with honors from the University of Miami School of Law in 1984. Over the course of her career, Ms. Gregoire has donated hundreds of hours to pro bono representation through the court system, Guardian ad Litem, and the St. Thomas More Catholic Ministry of St. Andrew Parish. Her representation has included family law matters, tenancy disputes, preparation of living wills, and representing indigent clients in a variety of residential and commercial matters.

 

CHRISTOPHER H. MORRISION -- Fern Park -- Eighteenth Judicial Circuit

Christopher H. Morrison attended the University of Cologne, Germany and the University of Florida for undergraduate school, receiving his B.A. in political science in 1986. He received his J.D. from Nova Southeastern University in 1990. He practices law with the firm Baldwin & Morrison, P.A., concentrating in the areas of family and marital law, personal injury, landlord/tenant, and commercial and business litigation.Mr. Morrison regularly provides legal assistance to numerous indigent elderly persons in his community who participate in the Seminole County Bar Association’s Elder Law Clinic. He also handles many of the more difficult dissolution of marriage pro bono cases. Mr. Morrison has handled close to 100 pro bono cases through the Legal Aid Society alone. He also handles pro bono cases through the Orange County Bar Association.

 

PORTIA B. SCOTT – Stuart – Nineteenth Judicial Circuit

Portia B. Scott graduated cum laude from Stetson University College of Law. A native of Stuart, where her father had practiced law since 1949, she and her father opened the firm of Scott & Scott after he came out of retirement in 1994. Ms. Scott received her bachelor's degree in Communications from Florida Atlantic University. While in law school, she worked as an intern at a Family Law Clinic and her pro bono services include cases through Florida Rural Legal Services, Corp., as well as lecturing and drafting wills to Habitat for Humanity residents, providing legal advice to Hibiscus House for Abused Children, working with PACE School for Girls, and working through the Father-Child Workshops (part of the Healthy Start Coalition) to assist fathers trying to be active in their children's lives.

 

JOHN J. CASSIDY, JR. – Naples – Twentieth Judicial Circuit

John I Cassidy, Jr., a Chicago native and graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law, was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1951. He was a senior litigation partner with the Chicago firm of Vedder, Price, Kaufinan & Kammholz for more than 30 years. In 1994, he became of counsel to the firm, took the Florida bar exam and was admitted to practice in order to serve as a Florida volunteer pro bono lawyer. Since then, he has worked in Immokalee with Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS), the Coalition of lmmokalee Workers and the Florida Immigrant Advisory Center. He has assisted many farm workers in collecting a substantial judgment in a case involving extensive discovery, depositions and accounting analysis and ancillary proceedings which entailed more than 1200 hours of pro bono time. He also assisted FRLS young lawyers in pending litigation concerning Fair Labor Standards Act violations. Title VII racial and sexual discrimination cases.

DAVID BENTLEY – Washington, D.C. – Out-Of-State Division

David Bentley graduated from the United States Military Academy with a B.S. degree in 1975, and from Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude, in 1998. He also received a M.S. degree in American Government from Campbell University in 1985. Since 1998, Mr. Bentley has practiced with Dewey Ballantine LLP as an associate attorney. His areas of practice are international trade law and complex civil litigation. Mr. Bentley has volunteered for America's Promise, a national public service organization for disadvantaged children. Mr. Bentley also represented a group of unemployed workers concerning entitlement to Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance. On two occasions, he represented prisoners with complaints pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, one involving a prisoner's right to privacy, and the other involving sexual harassment by a prison employee against a prisoner. Mr. Bentley has provided more than 600 hours of pro bono service since 1998.

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[Updated: 07-01-2005 ]