(SARASOTA, Fla.) — Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS), a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal services to qualified residents in 13 counties in Florida and farmworkers statewide, held its final Board meeting of the year on Saturday, December 7, in Sarasota, where Executive Director Leticia Medina-Richman provided updates on the organization’s progress. The meeting highlighted the dedicated efforts of FRLS staff, who have been actively involved in providing critical legal services to vulnerable communities.
Between January 1 and September 30, 2024, FRLS successfully closed 3,672 cases, with a significant portion falling under housing, family law, and income maintenance. The organization also continues to expand its pro bono efforts, with the team making more than 100 recruiting attempts per month, reaching out to attorneys via cold calling, emails, and networking at events. Over the past quarter, 42 pro bono cases were opened, with 46 successfully closed. FRLS also conducted 10 pro bono clinics in October and November, with two more scheduled for December.
FRLS staff have also been active in providing legal education to their peers and the communities FRLS serves. The Program has increased its focus on professional development for the staff. Staff have attended a variety of substantive training courses including internal fundamentals training for new advocates.
FRLS launched a bi-monthly e-newsletter, “Victory and Voices: Real Story, Real Impact,” which highlights client victories and the advocates who help achieve them. In support of the Low-Income Tax Clinic (LITC), a new marketing campaign was rolled out, featuring branded materials, advertisements on public buses, and outreach to community partners. Live webinars on various tax topics, complete with Q&A sessions, have also contributed to educating the public and engaging the community.
As FRLS concludes a year of impactful work, the organization continues its mission to provide high-quality legal services and advocacy, ensuring that underserved communities across Florida have access to justice.