Miami, FL – On October 9, 2026, the Eleventh Judicial Circuit brought together members of the judiciary, elected officials, bar leadership and stakeholders to discuss the community’s unmet civil legal needs and to learn about available pro bono programs. The Conference was organized by the Honorable Diana Gonzalez-Whyte and the Honorable David Young, Co-Chairs, Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee. Following Opening Remarks by Judge Young, Chief Judge Ariana Fajardo-Orshan welcomed attendees and discussed the importance of pro bono work. Chief Justice John D. Couriel, of the Supreme Court of Florida, appeared by Special Video Message. Other speakers included: Brenda Kuhns-Neuman, Esq., Chief Integrity Officer, Office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Honorable Kionne L. McGhee, Vice-Chairman, Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, Honorable Juan Fernandez-Barquin, Clerk of Court, Herman J. Russomanno, Past-President, the Florida Bar and Miami-Dade Bar, Karen Josefsberg Ladis, Executive Director, Dade County Legal Aid, the Honorable Zachary James, the Honorable Patricia Marino Pedraza, the Honorable Jason Dimitris, Stephanie Grosman, Esq., Dade Legal Aid and Alex Saiz, Esq.
Herman Russomanno thanked all in attendance and stated they all have caring hearts and a common passion and that is why we celebrate their Pro Bono Service at the annual Awards Ceremony each year.
“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,” said Russomanno. He noted that “attorneys provided 1.7 Million Hours of Pro Bono Service this year but we need to do more.”
“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,” said Judge Gonzalez-Whyte. “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,” said Gonzalez-Whyte.
The conference reaffirmed the legal community’s shared commitment to advancing access to justice, strengthening community partnerships, and encouraging attorneys to put something back through meaningful pro bono service.
To accept a pro bono case contact our partners at PSB@dadelegalaid.org.
