The Eleventh Judicial Circuit convened judges, elected officials, bar leaders, and legal aid advocates in Miami on October 9, 2026, to address unmet civil legal needs and examine available pro bono resources across the region. The access-to-justice forum highlighted both the volume of volunteer legal work provided in the state and the persistent deficits in representation for unrepresented populations.
The Bottom Line
- Florida attorneys delivered 1.7 million hours of pro bono legal service over the past year.
- The Eleventh Judicial Circuit forum brought together judicial leadership, county commissioners, and legal aid directors to match volunteer capacity with unmet community needs.
- Organizers emphasized that despite the scale of current contributions, significant civil legal gaps remain.
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Convenes Stakeholders on Civil Legal Needs
The gathering at the Eleventh Judicial Circuit drew judicial and municipal figures to evaluate the state of pro bono participation. The event was organized by Circuit Pro Bono Committee Co-Chairs Diana Gonzalez-Whyte and David Young. Opening remarks from Young preceded a formal welcome by Chief Judge Ariana Fajardo-Orshan, who discussed the importance of pro bono work.
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Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice John D. Couriel addressed the forum through a special video message. Additional speakers included Brenda Kuhns-Neuman, Chief Integrity Officer for the Office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava; Kionne L. McGhee, Vice-Chairman, Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners; and Juan Fernandez-Barquin, Clerk of Court. The roster underscored institutional alignment between municipal administration and the local judiciary regarding civil access deficits.
Quantifying Pro Bono Volume Versus Community Demand
Herman J. Russomanno, a past president of The Florida Bar and Miami-Dade Bar, provided baseline metrics during the session. Russomanno reported that attorneys provided 1.7 million hours of pro bono service this year, acknowledging the commitment while noting that further expansion is required to meet civil needs. Karen Josefsberg Ladis, executive director of Dade County Legal Aid, joined panel discussions alongside Zachary James, Patricia Marino Pedraza, Jason Dimitris, Stephanie Grosman, and Alex Saiz.
Russomanno framed the contribution in direct terms: Lawyers who perform pro bono work have an unwavering commitment to seek Equal Justice for the less fortunate and unrepresented. These giving lawyers are the Voice for the Voiceless.
| Metric / Indicator | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| Annual Pro Bono Hours (Florida) | 1.7 Million Hours |
| Jurisdiction | Eleventh Judicial Circuit |
| Event Date | October 9, 2026 |
Institutional Perspectives on Professional Duty
Speakers at the forum connected professional capacity directly to civic responsibility. Gonzalez-Whyte outlined the personal and systemic impact of volunteer legal representation during her remarks to attendees, emphasizing that specialized training allows practitioners to address severe imbalances in the civil justice system.
As lawyers, we possess a unique set of skills that can transform lives, restore dignity, and give a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard,
Gonzalez-Whyte stated. Pro bono service connects us to something greater than ourselves: the ideals of justice, mercy, compassion, and our responsibility to one another. When we use our knowledge and abilities to help someone in their time of need, expecting nothing in return, we discover a reward far greater than money could ever buy. We enrich the lives of those we serve, but we also enrich our own hearts and souls, reminding ourselves that our profession gives us the ability to help others, but our humanity gives us the reason to do so.
Practitioners seeking to accept pro bono cases can coordinate directly through Dade County Legal Aid by contacting [email protected].
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
