Welcome to our blog

Since our Blog’s first post you have heard from Elizabeth Porcelli, Donna Lonsberry, Susan Calistri and Dawn Hulbert. Donna, Dawn and Susan are all practicing attorneys. Elizabeth and I are what are classified as non-attorneys. We keep very busy during the week doing everything from answering the phone, general administrative duties or assisting the volunteer attorneys during the clinics.

The Community Law Program was founded in 1990 by a group of St. Petersburg Bar attorneys that understood that St. Petersburg was in need of pro bono legal assistance. Every day I have firsthand experience why pro bono service is an important part of the legal profession. The Community Law Program provides legal assistance in the areas of family, bankruptcy, wills and probate, housing and general civil legal matters. In other situations where legal advice is not sufficient, the Community Law Program has a panel of volunteer attorneys that accept placement of pro bono clients for representation at their firm.

As what was mentioned before, we love our volunteers. Pro bono service plays a vital role in the system in order to keep access to the courts. This is especially true in these dire times that our nation is experiencing and more specifically, our local community. Stetson University College of Law reaffirms the importance of pro bono service by requiring each student to complete a minimum of 20 hours as part of their graduation requirement. In 2008, Stetson’s student body documented more than 14,000 hours of service and our program is appreciative of every student that selects our program to fulfill their requirement.

In summary, I truly enjoy the opportunity to work among attorneys and law students while assisting our clients. As there is no mandatory pro bono requirement for attorneys, our volunteer attorneys are dedicated in providing assistance to our areas most disadvantaged residents. Additionally, the assistance we receive from the law students would make any Dean and Professor proud that their students are making an impact within our community.

Kyle Fleming
Case Manager