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Dear Colleague,
 
I am delighted to announce that the Dade County Bar Association will receive the 2009 Voluntary Bar Association Pro Bono Award, recognizing our significant contributions in the delivery of legal services to individuals or groups on a pro bono basis.
 
Today, on behalf of the Association, I will be in Tallahassee to accept the award from Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Peggy A. Quince.
(The 3:30 P.M. program will be televised  and available by Webcast on The Florida Channel, http://www.wfsu.org/tfc/index.php on Florida Channel 1)
 
I am honored to accept this award personally for our Association, but I know that the recognition we are receiving is a direct result of others.

In particular, Derek Leon of Morgan Lewis & Bockius showed great initiative and leadership in implementing our LegalLine program.
Through LegalLine, the public is invited to call DCBA volunteer attorneys who answer simple legal questions, give brief legal advice or refer the call to an appropriate social service agency for further assistance.  (To view click on Legal Line)
 
LegalLine--in which many of our members have volunteered--was implemented by our Board of Directors during the administration of DCBA President Merrick Gross of Carlton Fields.
 
We are grateful for the work of the Chief Justice's Pro Bono Advisory
Committee: Francisco Angones, Chair; Alvin Alsobrook; Judge Michael Andrews; James English; Robert Johnson; Kathleen McLeroy; Marlene Quintana; Kimberly Rodgers; Heather Rodriguez; Judge Vance Salter; George Schulz; and Sylvia Walbolt.
 
Recognition for pro bono work is particularly rewarding because it highlights an authentic altruism that anchors our profession.  In my capacity as DCBA president, I have observed that the extensive pro bono work of our Association is motivated by goodwill to others and undertaken without thought of reward.  Still, it is nice to be recognized for work well done and I extend my congratulations to you and to our entire Association.
 
The ideal of the lawyer-citizen is alive and well.
 
Sincerely,
 
Timothy M. Ravich
President, Dade County Bar Association