Bilzin Sumberg Announces Winners of Sixth Annual Matters of the Heart Pro Bono Awards

Miami, FL – Bilzin Sumberg continued its long-standing tradition of putting community service at the center of firm culture as it hosted its sixth annual Matters of the Heart Pro Bono Awards at the firm's Miami office on Wednesday, October 15th.

The awards recognized pro bono services provided during 2024 in two categories. The One-to-One Category highlights pro bono work that directly touches the lives of individual clients and their families. The One-to-Many Category acknowledges pro bono work aimed at assisting organizations that have an impact on entire segments of the community.

The One-to-One Category recognized David Jessup, Jr. for his exceptional representation of a young woman in extended foster care on behalf of Lawyers for Children America. For more than three years, David has been a tireless champion for this client—ensuring she has access to safe and stable housing, even on an emergency basis, and securing for her essential benefits and services ranging from healthcare to groceries to infant formula. His unwavering commitment and compassionate representation have made a profound difference in her life and exemplify the highest ideals of legal advocacy.

The One-to-Many Category recognized Javier F. Avino, Lauren O. Cankaya, Sarah Carraher, Brittany Chung, Alexandra F. Cimo, Alexandra Haller, Sara Barli Herald, David Jessup, Jr., Lauren L. Kahn, Hannah Lidicker, Adam D. Lustig, Andres T. Rivero, and Martin A. Schwartz for their work on the Children's Village building project at Lotus House Village. Bilzin Sumberg has proudly represented Lotus House—the nation’s largest homeless shelter for women, youth, and children—on a pro bono basis since the organization’s founding. In connection with the development of the Children’s Village, the firm’s team oversaw every aspect of the project’s real estate acquisition, land use, zoning and permitting, and tax credit financing. The Children’s Village represents Lotus House’s most recent expansion and is designed to help prevent homelessness by addressing the educational, therapeutic, social, and wellness needs of children from an early age. This vital project reflects Bilzin Sumberg’s enduring commitment to strengthening the community through meaningful pro bono work.

"The Matters of the Heart awards highlight the depth and diversity of legal work our attorneys undertake to support underserved individuals and nonprofit organizations," said Raquel M. Fernandez, Trial & Litigation Partner and Head of Matters of the Heart Pro Bono Program. "This year’s honorees exemplify the application of sophisticated legal expertise in service of pro bono clients—ranging from individualized representation and advocacy to complex real estate and land use matters.

As part of Bilzin Sumberg's culture of community service, all attorneys and staff are encouraged to participate in pro bono work. All those recognized by the Matters of the Heart Pro Bono Awards exemplify the firm's dedication to the community and the indelible impact of pro bono work.

"Pro bono work is not just a tradition at Bilzin Sumberg, but a reflection of who we are," said Albert E. Dotson, Jr., Bilzin Sumberg CEO and Managing Partner. "These awards honor the attorneys who go beyond the call of duty to uplift individuals and organizations that strengthen the fabric of our community."

About Bilzin Sumberg
At Bilzin Sumberg, we empower our clients to achieve extraordinary results through our expertise and creative solutions. Our dedication to providing practical and personalized attention spans a broad spectrum of practices, focusing on complex matters that require a high level of expertise and sophistication.   

Guided by our guiding principles of integrity, trust, and empathy, we build strong, enduring relationships with our clients and partners. By leveraging relationships, we deliver tailored solutions that make a lasting impact. Our competencies include antitrust, trial and litigation, construction law, corporate and securities, environmental law, CMBS, restructuring and finance, government relations, joint ventures, private wealth planning, public-private partnerships, and real estate. For more information, please visit bilzin.com.