TALLAHASSEE - Jacqueline Marie Valdespino was recognized with the G. Kirk Haas Humanitarian Award by 2002-2003 Florida Bar President Tod Aronovitz. The award was presented on Friday, June 27, 2003, during the Bar's Annual Meeting in Orlando.

Ms. Valdespino works through the Put Something Back project, a Miami pro bono program that provides indigent persons with legal assistance. In 1995, Valdespino accepted appointment as a pro bono guardian ad litem in a particularly contentious family case. Valdespino's devotion assured that the child's voice was heard through numerous post dissolution trials, appeals and remands. The court file numbers over 23 volumes, and the case continued for seven years.

Established in 1998 by then Bar President Edward R. Blumberg, this award recognizes a Bar member for his or her meritorious service and allows the recipient to provide a scholarship award to a student at a law school of his or her selection. Valdespino has chosen the Miami University School of Law.

The lawyer for whom the award is named, G. Kirk Haas, was a member of The Florida Bar who practiced in Miami, Florida, until his untimely death in 1987. He was noted by colleagues for his humanity and legal ethics as well as his skill and professionalism.

Haas was a native of Miami who received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida. He attended law school at Mercer University and after graduation served as an assistant state attorney. He later practiced civil law with the firm of High, Stack, Davis and Lazenby. Haas served on the board of directors of the Dade County Bar Association.

The award recipient is selected annually by the President of The Florida Bar and is presented each year when the Bar's leadership is installed. The recipient then designates a Florida law school and the dean selects a second-year student who "demonstrates an exceptionally high degree of integrity, ethics, professionalism and a concern for others" to receive the $2,500 scholarship.

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[Updated: 07-01-2005