A WORD FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MAY NOTES FROM DADE LEGAL AID - Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

APRIL NOTES FROM DADE LEGAL AID - Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

MARCH NOTES FROM DADE LEGAL AID - Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

FEBRUARY NOTES FROM DADE LEGAL AID - Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

JANUARY NOTES FROM DADE LEGAL AID - Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

On Friday, January 29,2021, DCBA Probate & Guardianship Committee is holding the annual "You Be The Judge Probate & Guardianship Seminar" featuring the Honorable Yvonne Colodny, the Honorable Celeste H. Muir, the Honorable Milton Hirsch, the Honorable Rosa C. Figarola, DCBA Bar President Jane Muir, Esq., Stacy Rubel, Esq., Co-Chair, Elizabeth A. Hughes, Esq., Co-Chair, Candis D. Trusty, Esq., Wendy Robbins, Esq., Joshua Rosenberg, Esq., Cady L. Huss, Esq., Duane L. Pinnock, Esq., Jenna G. Rubin, Esq., Jose I. Leon, Esq., Roselvin Edelman, Esq., and Carly S. Weiss, Esq. Topics include: Estate Planning to Avoid Litigation; Hearsay in Probate and Guardianship Cases; Resolving Conflict:  The Best Interests of the Trust; I Didn’t Know He Was Married: Truth in Depositions; Elective Share and Transferred Assets; Ashes and Catches – How Certain Assets Are Handled in Probate; Acquiring Real Property “As Trustee” With No Trust Identifiers in Deed; Appointment of Guardian for Minors in Probate; and Spouse’s Role in Guardianship During Divorce.  We are so grateful to the DCBA and to our talented Chairs, Stacy and Elizabeth, and speakers and bar for working so hard on this program. The training is FREE for all attorneys who agree to accept a pro bono bono case from Put Something Back.  Thank you to outstanding sponsors as of today's date: Greenspoon Marder, Nelson Mullins, Jon Bragman and City National Bank.

DECEMBER NOTES FROM DADE LEGAL AID - Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

NOVEMBER NOTES FROM DADE LEGAL AID - Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

OCTOBER  BRIEFS FROM DADE LEGAL AID - SPEEDING LAWFULLY BIKE CHALLENGE TO BENEFIT DADE LEGAL AID IS ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020 

Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

“Speeding Lawfully" is a socially distanced bike challenge for all ages and activity levels that will take the place of Dade Legal Aid’s annual Patently Impossible Project, since it just isn’t possible to hold the Patently Impossible competition in person this year. Thankds to event chair Jaime Rich Vining, Esq., who came up with this great idea!  “While pivoted due to the global pandemic, 100% of the proceeds from the event will help Dade Legal Aid that represents low income children and families impacted by COVID-19,” said Vining.  “Dade Legal Aid and Put Something Back Pro Bono Project provide critical access to justice to low-income residents of Miami-Dade County,” said Vining, Chair of the Intellectual Property Committee of the Dade County Bar Association.  For over  a decade, Vining has been creating fundraisers and handling pro bono cases for the organization.  This year, Vining decided “shifted gears” to host this virtual event to support the non-profit law firm that has been serving the unmet legal needs of the community since 1949. 

“Put Something Back is the cornerstone of the pro bono efforts by Miami lawyers.  The program has served thousands of clients for decades.  As a former President of the Dade County Bar Association, I am very proud of this program and the work of Dade Legal Aid,” said Steven Davis, Partner, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and Member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.

Dade Legal Aid staff and pro bono attorneys handle thousands of cases annually in the areas of family law, domestic violence, probate, guardian ad litem, child advocacy, bankruptcy, housing and consumer law. "The demand for our services has never been greater,” said Karen Ladis, executive director of the agency. “Our staff, pro bono volunteers and clients are facing new challenges navigating the “new norm.”  We have been working remotely for months continuing to provide a safety net of civil legal services to those severely impacted by COVID-19– the elderly, the disabled, survivors of sexual assault and human sex trafficking, unaccompanied minor children, veterans and others.”  Thanks to the combined efforts of the bar association and its leadership, supporters, participants and many local voluntary bar associations, law schools, members of the legal community, Dade Legal Aid continues fulfilling its mission to protect children and victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, families in crisis facing evictions, foreclosures and bankruptcy, and other vulnerable populations. For more information about Speeding Lawfully or registering for a pro bono case, please visit www.dadelegalaid.org or email  jrv@friedlandvining.com.                        

WHAT:          A Virtual Bike Race to Benefit Dade Legal Aid

CHAIR:          Jaime Rich Vining, Esquire

WHEN:          Sunday, October 25, 2020, 10:00 am

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS: Dade County Bar Association, Intellectual Property Committee, Young Lawyer Section, IBERIABANK First Horizon,  Corsearch, Bast Amron, Bilzin, STROOCK, Rumberger Kirk, Ser & Associates, Rasco Klock, Miami-Dade FAWL, First Family Law American Inns of Court, Haitian Lawyers Association, St. Thomas University School of Law, Foster-Morales Sockel-Stone, Phipps Reporting, Steven Davis, Freddi Mack, Cole Scott & Kissane, Hollub Homes,South Miami Kendall Bar Association, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr, Bar Association, The South Asian Bar Association of Florida, The LAB Miami, and more…

REGISTER:  http://www.dadelegalaid.org/register-for-the-2020-virtual-bike-race-challenge/

SEPTEMBER  BRIEFS FROM DADE LEGAL AID

Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

In September, we saw a spike in family law, housing and domestic violence cases caused by the pandemic, unemployment and other issues facing our community's low income residents.  We are addressing the influx of cases by streamlining intake processes.  Clients seeking pro bono services through our Put Something Back Pro Bono Project can apply online and request assistance from one of our virtual kiosks from virtually anywhere.  The pro bono attorney team at Dade Legal Aid is comprised of Bruce Levine, with over 28 years of experience coordinating pro bono disaster relief efforts, Nikki Weisburd, with over 15 years of representing older foster youth and coordinating child advocacy efforts for the agency, and Stephanie Grosman, a seasoned family lawyer who handles family law cases, serves as a GAL, and mentors new attorneys accepting pro bono cases.  Rounding out the team are Jessica Zuvic, a dedicated paralegal and professional who performs an inordinate amount of tasks necessary to refer, monitor and close thousands of cases each year,  Jason Sotelo and Yasminne Rayo, former Americorp VISTA Fellows with the agency who conduct client intake and process referrals, and Samantha Napoles, who updates records, closes cases and credits attorneys for their pro bono services.  October is National ABA Pro Bono Month (although every month is pro bono month at Put Something Back!) and we will be featuring some of our outstanding staff attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants who are working hard to provide services to those in need of critical assistance with nowhere else to turn to for help.  Stay tuned for more updates and stay safe!

AUGUST BRIEFS FROM DADE LEGAL AID

Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

We are experiencing a huge influx of family law and domestic violence clients due to COVID-19.  Our staff attorneys and secretaries are working hard and continuing to provide their services remotely, focusing on the increasing numbers of new clients that are adversely impacted each week. We receive over a 100 new applicants a week in need of civil legal services with nowhere else to turn for assistance. 

We are preparing for an increase in eviction and foreclosure cases once the moratorium is lifted. We are working with the bankruptcy bar and the Eleanor and A. Jay Cristol UM Law Bankruptcy Clinic to prepare for the influx in cases. The clinics are taught remotely and going well and we are also examining proactive methods to work with landlords to assist people once the moratoriums are lifted.  

Last month, our Family Law Department processed 123 new applications.  Our Domestic Violence Department assisted 72 new clients. Put Something Back referred over 100 cases in all areas of civil law including contracts, liens, collections, probate, family law, bankruptcy and consumer cases.

This year’s YLS Back to School Drive was a big success.  We received 50 backpacks and supplies and distributed them to our clients.  We are excited that the YLS is partnering with us on our upcoming events and helping to fill client needs.  We are also planning a Speaker’s Bureau with the local Veterans Affairs hospital.

Our Juvenile Delinquency Webinar with the Haitian Lawyers Association, Virtual Family Law Clinic featuring Marck Joseph, and Venture Law Clinic have all been successful so far.  We continue exploring new partnerships and innovations in order to increase access to justice for those in need.

On October 25, we are holding a virtual bike challenge.  Join us as we shift gears and hold “Speeding Lawfully Bike Challenge” sponsored by the Intellectual Property Committee of the DCBA along with co-sponsors DCBA YLS, MDFAWL, SMKB, HLA, FACDL, and many others.  Please contact Stephanie Grosman or Jaime Vining for more details. STAY SAFE!

JULY BRIEFS FROM DADE LEGAL AID

Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executor

I hope you are staying safe and well during this crisis. The pandemic is impacting the legal community like never before. With local lockdowns and curfews, now more than ever, we are experiencing a surge in requests for our help with Family Law, Domestic Violence, Probate, Evictions, Collections & Bankruptcy matters. Our in-house staff and pro bono team are committed to doing everything we can to meet the increased needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Direct legal representation has a tremendous impact on the quality of life for Miami-Dade's indigent population. Now is the time to step in to volunteer to handle one of our pre-screened cases for a low income resident facing financial uncertainty, eviction, divorce or domestic violence. Please let us know if you and your firm are able to assist a low income client and donate your resources to help us achieve access to justice for all. Thank you to the many attorneys and firms for generously donating their time and firm resources to help us provide free legal assistance to disadvantaged indidviduals, families and nonprofits during these difficult times. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our participants.

This week, we say farewell and thank you to Hayley Goodman, HOPE Summer Fellow, 2L, University of Miami School of Law. Throughout the summer, Hayley has assisted the Guardianship Department with client interviews, drafting pleadings and legal research and has attended vitrual hearings, remote meetings and office events. We are so grateful to her and to UMHOPE. 

Sincerely yours,

SEPTEMBER  BRIEFS FROM DADE LEGAL AID

Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

In September, we saw a spike in family law, housing and domestic violence cases caused by the pandemic, unemployment and other issues facing our community's low income residents.  We are addressing the influx of cases by streamlining intake processes.  Clients seeking pro bono services through our Put Something Back Pro Bono Project can apply online and request assistance from one of our virtual kiosks from virtually anywhere.  The pro bono attorney team at Dade Legal Aid is comprised of Bruce Levine, with over 28 years of experience coordinating pro bono disaster relief efforts, Nikki Weisburd, with over 15 years of representing older foster youth and coordinating child advocacy efforts for the agency, and Stephanie Grosman, a seasoned family lawyer who handles family law cases, serves as a GAL, and mentors new attorneys accepting pro bono cases.  Rounding out the team are Jessica Zuvic, a dedicated paralegal and professional who performs an inordinate amount of tasks necessary to refer, monitor and close thousands of cases each year,  Jason Sotelo and Yasminne Rayo, former Americorp VISTA Fellows with the agency who conduct client intake and process referrals, and Samantha Napoles, who updates records, closes cases and credits attorneys for their pro bono services.  October is National ABA Pro Bono Month (although every month is pro bono month at Put Something Back!) and we will be featuring some of our outstanding staff attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants who are working hard to provide services to those in need of critical assistance with nowhere else to turn to for help.  Stay tuned for more updates and stay safe!

AUGUST BRIEFS FROM DADE LEGAL AID

Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

We are experiencing a huge influx of family law and domestic violence clients due to COVID-19.  Our staff attorneys and secretaries are working hard and continuing to provide their services remotely, focusing on the increasing numbers of new clients that are adversely impacted each week. We receive over a 100 new applicants a week in need of civil legal services with nowhere else to turn for assistance. 

We are preparing for an increase in eviction and foreclosure cases once the moratorium is lifted. We are working with the bankruptcy bar and the Eleanor and A. Jay Cristol UM Law Bankruptcy Clinic to prepare for the influx in cases. The clinics are taught remotely and going well and we are also examining proactive methods to work with landlords to assist people once the moratoriums are lifted.  

Last month, our Family Law Department processed 123 new applications.  Our Domestic Violence Department assisted 72 new clients. Put Something Back referred over 100 cases in all areas of civil law including contracts, liens, collections, probate, family law, bankruptcy and consumer cases.

This year’s YLS Back to School Drive was a big success.  We received 50 backpacks and supplies and distributed them to our clients.  We are excited that the YLS is partnering with us on our upcoming events and helping to fill client needs.  We are also planning a Speaker’s Bureau with the local Veterans Affairs hospital.

Our Juvenile Delinquency Webinar with the Haitian Lawyers Association, Virtual Family Law Clinic featuring Marck Joseph, and Venture Law Clinic have all been successful so far.  We continue exploring new partnerships and innovations in order to increase access to justice for those in need.

On October 25, we are holding a virtual bike challenge.  Join us as we shift gears and hold “Speeding Lawfully Bike Challenge” sponsored by the Intellectual Property Committee of the DCBA along with co-sponsors DCBA YLS, MDFAWL, SMKB, HLA, FACDL, and many others.  Please contact Stephanie Grosman or Jaime Vining for more details. STAY SAFE!

JULY BRIEFS FROM DADE LEGAL AID

Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executor

I hope you are staying safe and well during this crisis. The pandemic is impacting the legal community like never before. With local lockdowns and curfews, now more than ever, we are experiencing a surge in requests for our help with Family Law, Domestic Violence, Probate, Evictions, Collections & Bankruptcy matters. Our in-house staff and pro bono team are committed to doing everything we can to meet the increased needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Direct legal representation has a tremendous impact on the quality of life for Miami-Dade's indigent population. Now is the time to step in to volunteer to handle one of our pre-screened cases for a low income resident facing financial uncertainty, eviction, divorce or domestic violence. Please let us know if you and your firm are able to assist a low income client and donate your resources to help us achieve access to justice for all. Thank you to the many attorneys and firms for generously donating their time and firm resources to help us provide free legal assistance to disadvantaged indidviduals, families and nonprofits during these difficult times. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our participants.

This week, we say farewell and thank you to Hayley Goodman, HOPE Summer Fellow, 2L, University of Miami School of Law. Throughout the summer, Hayley has assisted the Guardianship Department with client interviews, drafting pleadings and legal research and has attended vitrual hearings, remote meetings and office events. We are so grateful to her and to UMHOPE. 

Sincerely yours,

SEPTEMBER  BRIEFS FROM DADE LEGAL AID

Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

In September, we saw a spike in family law, housing and domestic violence cases caused by the pandemic, unemployment and other issues facing our community's low income residents.  We are addressing the influx of cases by streamlining intake processes.  Clients seeking pro bono services through our Put Something Back Pro Bono Project can apply online and request assistance from one of our virtual kiosks from virtually anywhere.  The pro bono attorney team at Dade Legal Aid is comprised of Bruce Levine, with over 28 years of experience coordinating pro bono disaster relief efforts, Nikki Weisburd, with over 15 years of representing older foster youth and coordinating child advocacy efforts for the agency, and Stephanie Grosman, a seasoned family lawyer who handles family law cases, serves as a GAL, and mentors new attorneys accepting pro bono cases.  Rounding out the team are Jessica Zuvic, a dedicated paralegal and professional who performs an inordinate amount of tasks necessary to refer, monitor and close thousands of cases each year,  Jason Sotelo and Yasminne Rayo, former Americorp VISTA Fellows with the agency who conduct client intake and process referrals, and Samantha Napoles, who updates records, closes cases and credits attorneys for their pro bono services.  October is National ABA Pro Bono Month (although every month is pro bono month at Put Something Back!) and we will be featuring some of our outstanding staff attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants who are working hard to provide services to those in need of critical assistance with nowhere else to turn to for help.  Stay tuned for more updates and stay safe!

AUGUST BRIEFS FROM DADE LEGAL AID

Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executive Director

We are experiencing a huge influx of family law and domestic violence clients due to COVID-19.  Our staff attorneys and secretaries are working hard and continuing to provide their services remotely, focusing on the increasing numbers of new clients that are adversely impacted each week. We receive over a 100 new applicants a week in need of civil legal services with nowhere else to turn for assistance. 

We are preparing for an increase in eviction and foreclosure cases once the moratorium is lifted. We are working with the bankruptcy bar and the Eleanor and A. Jay Cristol UM Law Bankruptcy Clinic to prepare for the influx in cases. The clinics are taught remotely and going well and we are also examining proactive methods to work with landlords to assist people once the moratoriums are lifted.  

Last month, our Family Law Department processed 123 new applications.  Our Domestic Violence Department assisted 72 new clients. Put Something Back referred over 100 cases in all areas of civil law including contracts, liens, collections, probate, family law, bankruptcy and consumer cases.

This year’s YLS Back to School Drive was a big success.  We received 50 backpacks and supplies and distributed them to our clients.  We are excited that the YLS is partnering with us on our upcoming events and helping to fill client needs.  We are also planning a Speaker’s Bureau with the local Veterans Affairs hospital.

Our Juvenile Delinquency Webinar with the Haitian Lawyers Association, Virtual Family Law Clinic featuring Marck Joseph, and Venture Law Clinic have all been successful so far.  We continue exploring new partnerships and innovations in order to increase access to justice for those in need.

On October 25, we are holding a virtual bike challenge.  Join us as we shift gears and hold “Speeding Lawfully Bike Challenge” sponsored by the Intellectual Property Committee of the DCBA along with co-sponsors DCBA YLS, MDFAWL, SMKB, HLA, FACDL, and many others.  Please contact Stephanie Grosman or Jaime Vining for more details. STAY SAFE!

JULY BRIEFS FROM DADE LEGAL AID

Message from Karen J. Ladis, Executor

I hope you are staying safe and well during this crisis. The pandemic is impacting the legal community like never before. With local lockdowns and curfews, now more than ever, we are experiencing a surge in requests for our help with Family Law, Domestic Violence, Probate, Evictions, Collections & Bankruptcy matters. Our in-house staff and pro bono team are committed to doing everything we can to meet the increased needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Direct legal representation has a tremendous impact on the quality of life for Miami-Dade's indigent population. Now is the time to step in to volunteer to handle one of our pre-screened cases for a low income resident facing financial uncertainty, eviction, divorce or domestic violence. Please let us know if you and your firm are able to assist a low income client and donate your resources to help us achieve access to justice for all. Thank you to the many attorneys and firms for generously donating their time and firm resources to help us provide free legal assistance to disadvantaged indidviduals, families and nonprofits during these difficult times. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our participants.

This week, we say farewell and thank you to Hayley Goodman, HOPE Summer Fellow, 2L, University of Miami School of Law. Throughout the summer, Hayley has assisted the Guardianship Department with client interviews, drafting pleadings and legal research and has attended vitrual hearings, remote meetings and office events. We are so grateful to her and to UMHOPE. 

Sincerely yours,