The Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association hosted its annual lunch to honor judges and attorneys who embody the “Spirit of Giving.”
That spirit was recognized through participation in pro bono work in the courts of the Middle District of Florida. U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan introduced the two 2011 award winners — the law firm of Holland & Knight and attorney Ronald Maxwell.
“The first award goes to a group of lawyers who always say ‘yes’ to pro bono work,” said Corrigan. “They don’t say, ‘It’s not my area of practice’ or ‘I’m too busy.’ They just say, ‘Yes.’”
A widely recognized proponent of pro bono work from Holland & Knight, George “Buddy” Schulz, accepted the award for the firm and referred to the dedication and wisdom of firm founder Chesterfield Smith to explain its support of pro bono participation.
“In the words of Chesterfield Smith, ‘Be somebody, do good,’” said Schulz.
The firm created the Chesterfield Smith Fellowship Program in 1999 in honor of the firm’s founder in to allow junior members of the firm to focus on pro bono work for one year without the pressure of billable hours.
The second honoree was credited with participating as a panel attorney under the Criminal Justice Act in the Middle District of Florida since 1973.
Federal judges appoint members of the panel to represent criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney under the Criminal Justice Act.
“I’m pleased to serve. It’s a good way to give back,” said attorney Ronald Maxwell.
While Maxwell enjoys helping people, it’s not always easy to do.
“You take on some hard cases and some of the people aren’t easy to deal with, so it’s nice to be recognized for being able to hang in there for so long,” said Maxwell.
The lunch also featured guest speaker Seth Miller, executive director for the Innocence Project of Florida.
“Doing pro bono work and representing the most vulnerable in our society is a two-way street,” said Miller.
“While my organization has been able to give them their life back, walking someone out of prison who has been wrongfully incarcerated has been an amazing feeling. It’s the dual value of pro bono work,” he said.
The Innocence Project of Florida uses DNA testing to help innocent prisoners in Florida pursue and obtain their freedom.
The Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association was founded in 1972 by Senior U.S. District Judge Harvey Schlesinger at the urging of his boss at the time, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida John Briggs.
356-2466