WHEREAS, the Florida Supreme Court has issued an opinion that adopts Rules 4-6.1, 4-6.2 and 4-6.5 of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar and which effectively aspires to provide pro bono legal services to the poor; and

WHEREAS, Rule 4-6.5 (c) requires the Chief Judge of the Circuit, or the Chief Judge's designee, to appoint and convene the initial Circuit Pro Bono Committee which shall appoint the Chair of the committee; and

WHEREAS, Rule 4-6.5 (1) mandates the composition of the Circuit Court Pro Bono Committee; and

WHEREAS it has become necessary to update the membership of the Tenth Circuit Pro Bono Committee;

Now Therefore, it is Ordered and Adjudged that:

1. There is hereby established a Pro Bono committee of the Tenth Judicial Circuit (Circuit Pro Bono Committee) which shall be comprised of the following persons:

a. The Chief Judge of the circuit or the Chief Judge's designee;

b. Alison Copley, Esquire, representing the Highlands County Bar Association;

c. Donald Frenette, Esquire, representing the Guardian Ad Litem Office;

d. Romell Fuller, Pro Bono Coordinator, representing Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.;

e. Dr. Cindy A. Hardin, Associate Professor of Florida Southern College;

f. Byron Hileman, Esquire, representing the Winter Haven Bar Association;

g. Donald Isaac, Esquire, representing Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.;

h. Amanda Peralta Jarret, Esquire, representing Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.;

i. Ellen Masters, Esquire, representing the Inn of Court;

j. Karen Meeks, Esquire, representing the Virgil Hawkins Bar Association;

k. Linda Moore, Esquire, representing Heart of Florida Legal Aid;

l. Stephen Senn, Esquire of Peterson & Myers, P.A.;

m. Nick Sudzina, Trial Court Administrator of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court;

j. at least one public member and at least one client-eligible member, each of whom shall be nominated by the other members of the Circuit Pro Bono Committee.

2. The governance and terms of service shall be determined by the Circuit Pro Bono Committee in accordance with Rule 4-6.5 of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar;

3. The responsibilities of the Circuit Pro Bono Committee shall be to:

a. prepare in written form a circuit pro bono plan after evaluating the needs of the circuit and making a determination of present available pro bono services;

b. implement the plan and monitor its results;

c. submit an annual report to the Florida Bar standing committee;

d. utilize current legal assistance and pro bono programs in the circuit to the extent possible and operate the circuit pro bono plan and provide the necessary coordination and administrative support for the Circuit Pro Bono Committee;

e. encourage more lawyers to participate in pro bono activities by providing various support and educational services for participating pro bono attorneys, which to the extent possible, should include:

i. providing intake, screening, and referral of prospective clients;

ii. matching cases with individual attorney expertise, including the establishment of specialized panels;

iii. providing resources for litigation and out-of-pocket expenses for pro bono cases;

iv. providing legal education and training for pro bono attorneys in specialized areas of law useful in providing pro bono legal service;

v. providing the availability of consultation with attorneys who have expertise in areas of law with respect to which a volunteer lawyer is providing pro bono service;

vi. providing malpractice insurance for volunteer pro bono lawyers with respect to their pro bono legal service;

vii. establishing procedures to ensure adequate monitoring and follow-up for assigned cases and to measure client satisfaction; and

viii. recognition of pro bono legal service by lawyers.

4. The Circuit Pro Bono Committee shall also consider in its plan the pro bono service opportunities listed in Rule 4-6.5 (f) of the Rules Governing the Florida Bar;

5. The Circuit Pro Bono Committee, in coordinating and administering the Circuit Pro Bono Plan, may develop any policy necessary to implement and maintain the Plan.

6. Administrative Order No. 1-16.0 entered July 8, 1993 is hereby VACATED.

DONE AND ORDERED on this _______ day of January, 1999.

CHARLES A. DAVIS

Chief Judge

Distribution:

Each Representative Agency

State Attorney

Public Defender

Each Clerk of the Court - Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties

10th Circuit Bar Members

Each Circuit and County Judge

Court Administrator