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The Florida Bar

FLORIDA LAWYERS TO RECEIVE PRO BONO AWARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2009
CONTACT: Dorohn A. Frazier, The Florida Bar
TELEPHONE: 850/561-5764

In 2007-08, Florida lawyers provided 1, 489, 099 hours of pro bono services to those in need and $5, 288, 466 to legal aid organizations.

The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award was established in 1981. It is intended to encourage lawyers to volunteer free legal services to the poor by recognizing those who make public service commitments and to raise public awareness of the substantial volunteer services provided by Florida lawyers to those who cannot afford legal fees. President John G. "Jay" White, III, of West Palm Beach, will present the 2009 awards.

The award recognizes pro bono service in each of Florida's 20 judicial circuits and one Florida Bar member practicing outside the state of Florida. It is presented annually in conjunction with the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award, which is given by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Florida. Awards recognizing pro bono contributions will also be presented for Distinguished Judicial Service, Law Firm Commendation, Voluntary Bar Association and Young Lawyer during the Jan. 29 ceremony.

By circuit, the 2009 recipients are: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, Out of State Florida Bar Member.

Shari Thieman Greene
First Judicial Circuit (Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton)
Gulf Breeze

Shari Thieman Greene is a managing member in the law firm of Bordelon, Greene & Lynchard, P.L., in Gulf Breeze. The largest portion of her pro bono cases has come from her church affiliation. Referrals from her pastor and fellow parishioners have given her cases ranging from damaged property, wage refusal and domestic violence to adopted child-biological parents reunion. Ms. Greene has also done considerable pro bono work in conjunction with Legal Services of North Florida, Inc., Northwest Florida Legal Services and the Escambia Santa Rosa County Bar Association.

Twyla Lawrene Sketchley
Second Judicial Circuit (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla)
Tallahassee

Twyla Lawrene Sketchley is the founding and managing attorney of the Sketchley Law Firm, P.A., in Tallahassee. She focuses on the areas of elder law, probate and trust, special needs planning, public benefit eligibility and guardianship. Ms. Sketchley provides pro bono legal work through Legal Services of North Florida, the Office of Public Guardian, Inc., and through her office privately. She pays monthly visits to a local elderly center to offer free legal services and advice. She also assists in creating powers of attorney, wills, advance directives, and handling custody issues, probate, homestead, veteran's benefits, Medicaid and Medicare through the Legal Services of North Florida. Ms. Sketchley has taken on numerous pro bono cases regarding guardianship, which are distinct from others because they are often ongoing, sometimes for many years.

Source: www.floridabar.org