Pro bono attorneys make a difference in their communities every single day. Currently, hundreds of Florida attorneys volunteer their time as pro bono attorneys with the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office representing abused, abandoned, and neglected children. These pro bono attorneys are a vital part of the team. Their passion, coupled with legal skills, work to help the most vulnerable children in our state find stability and achieve the best possible outcomes.

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office represents children as they navigate dependency court. Pro bono attorneys who work with the office use their legal expertise in a variety of ways. Some serve as co-counsel in trial court proceedings; others might write appellate briefs, telling the child’s story on appeal. Pro bono attorneys can also mentor older teens in foster care, giving them the support and guidance they need as they move into adulthood, and serve as Guardian ad Litem volunteers, creating one-on-one relationships that enhance a child’s representation. No matter how they volunteer their time and talent, every pro bono attorney makes a marked difference in the life of child.

The pro bono attorneys who dedicate their time and skills are heroes, especially to the children they work with. A pro bono attorney in the sixth circuit, Russell “Jake” Dewberry, has forever changed the lives of the children he works with. He serves as co-counsel in a dependency case, striving to help five siblings achieve what every child deserves – a safe permanent home. Three of the five siblings are now in a pre-adoptive home. For the two older siblings, Jake has stepped up to become their mentor, determined to assist them as they venture into independence. One brother has an interest in flying. Jake took him to tour flight mechanic schools, so he could turn his passion into a possible career. Jake is the person the two brothers turn to when they want to talk or need guidance. He uses his skills and experience not only to advocate for them in court, but to teach them how to advocate for themselves in life.