Pro Bono
Pro Bono work, in many ways, is at the heart of the legal profession. Representing those without means for representation, lending a voice to the voiceless, these are the reasons many of our attorneys pursued a career in law to begin with. At Bilzin Sumberg, we expect and encourage our lawyers to lend their time and legal skills to public, charitable and non-profit organizations. Many of these organizations focus their efforts on helping our community’s underserved and underprivileged children, advocating for their rights within the system.
D-FY-IT
D-FY-IT is a nationally recognized, community-based substance-abuse prevention organization that focuses on recognizing students who choose to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The organization establishes community service chapters in middle and senior high schools with a membership base that spans ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
D-FY-IT youth take pride in being drug-free and in giving back to their communities. Currently, the organization operates in 50 public and private schools in Miami-Dade County. Since the organization's inception in 1992, D-FY-IT club membership has grown to over 5,000, and more than 10,000 students have been enrolled in D-FY-IT clubs. We are proud that John C. Sumberg, Managing Partner of Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP, is general counsel of D-FY-IT.
D-FY-IT youth take pride in being drug-free and in giving back to their communities. Currently, the organization operates in 50 public and private schools in Miami-Dade County. Since the organization's inception in 1992, D-FY-IT club membership has grown to over 5,000, and more than 10,000 students have been enrolled in D-FY-IT clubs. We are proud that John C. Sumberg, Managing Partner of Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP, is general counsel of D-FY-IT.
Guardian ad Litem
A Guardian ad Litem is a special court-appointed guardian who acts on behalf of minors. They are considered officers of the court and represent the interests of minors in court and legal matters. Florida statutes mandate the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem volunteer in every case involving child abuse or neglect. The Guardian ad Litem Program was established in 1980 to address that mandate. Florida’s program is part of a national network of over 500 CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) programs across the country.
The Guardian ad Litem Program recruits and trains community volunteers as the backbone of this program. These volunteers are specially trained and supervised advocates who spend from two to ten hours per week on each case. Acting as independent advocates, they provide abused children with a voice in all juvenile and criminal court proceedings and with social service agencies. Many of Bilzin Sumberg's associates provide pro bono services to this critical program.
The Guardian ad Litem Program recruits and trains community volunteers as the backbone of this program. These volunteers are specially trained and supervised advocates who spend from two to ten hours per week on each case. Acting as independent advocates, they provide abused children with a voice in all juvenile and criminal court proceedings and with social service agencies. Many of Bilzin Sumberg's associates provide pro bono services to this critical program.
Goodwill Industries of South Florida
Since its inception, Goodwill Industries have used meaningful work to bolster an individual's feeling of self worth. People involved in Goodwill programs work in various occupations to support themselves and their families and to contribute to the economy. With a unique combination of rehabilitation services, job training, job experience and entrepreneurial activities, Goodwill Industries continues to help individuals become self-supporting citizens. We are proud that our attorneys provide pro bono services for this worthy organization.
Habitat For Humanity Miami
Habitat for Humanity Miami is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to build homes and communities in partnership with low-income families within Greater Miami. For the past several years, Bilzin Sumberg has been dedicated to providing pro bono real estate services for Habitat for Humanity Miami. Additionally, Bilzin Sumberg Cares participates in Habitat for Humanity's annual Blitz Build each year. In 2008, Habitat for Humanity officially dedicated a Bilzin Sumberg House in honor of the firm´s involvement with the organization.
Lawyers For Children America
Lawyers for Children America is a non-profit child advocacy organization that protects the rights of children who are victims of abuse, abandonment and neglect by providing quality pro bono legal representation and collaborating for systematic change to improve the lives of children. Lawyers for Children America draws upon the training, talent and compassion of private sector lawyers who volunteer their time to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children. Bilzin Sumberg is proud to be among the many firms who provide pro bono services to this valuable cause.
In 2008, Bilzin Sumberg was the recipient of the John Edward Smith Child Advocacy Award, which is given every year to one law firm that commits to the welfare of neglected and abused children.
In 2008, Bilzin Sumberg was the recipient of the John Edward Smith Child Advocacy Award, which is given every year to one law firm that commits to the welfare of neglected and abused children.