TALLAHASSEE -Tampa attorney Laurel F. Moore was selected to receive The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Legal Aid Public Service Award for her contributions to those in need of free legal services. The award will be presented to Moore by Young Lawyers Division President Juliet Murphy Roulhac at the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday, January 30.

The award was instituted in 1991 by the Young Lawyers Division and is presented in conjunction with the Supreme Court of Florida and The Florida Bar's Pro Bono Service Awards. Generally, pro bono refers to legal services provided free of charge to those who cannot pay for them. The term "pro bono," derived from the Latin phrase "pro bono publico," means "for the good of the public."

Moore earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 1996, and her law degree from the University of Florida College of Law in 1999. During her second year of law school, Moore was elected by the student body to serve as Chancellor of the Honor Court for the university. Her many leadership activities while a student resulted in her selection to the University of Florida Hall of Fame and Florida Blue Key.

Moore practiced insurance defense litigation at the law firm of Hurley, Rogner, Miller, Cox, and Waranch in Orlando, Florida, from August 1999 to August 2001. She is currently serving as a law clerk to United States District Court Judge James S. Moody, Jr. Moore is a member of the American Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the American Inns of Courts.

Additionally, Moore serves as a volunteer attorney for the Bay Area Legal Services Volunteer Lawyers Program in the Domestic Violence Assistance Project. She also participated in the HCBA's Law Day Program and volunteers as a mentor for at-risk elementary school students. Moore has also served as a pro bono guardian ad litem, and as a member of the Homeless Advocacy Project of the Orange County Bar Association's Legal Aid Society.

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[Updated: 07-01-2005 ]