Shutts & Bowen Marks Pro Bono Month with Statewide Community Service Efforts

Shutts & Bowen LLP engaged in multiple community service events across its Florida offices throughout October in recognition of Pro Bono Month. The firm's attorneys and staff demonstrated their commitment to serving the community through pro bono initiatives and volunteer events designed to make a difference across the state. From food drives and school partnerships to legal education and advocacy, Shutts employees united in service to those in need.

The firm's Pro Bono Committee, co-chaired by Ella Shenhav and Michael Gore, coordinated efforts that reflected Shutts' longstanding culture of giving back. Ella Shenhav, Co-Chair of the Shutts & Bowen Pro Bono Committee, emphasized that Pro Bono Month serves as a reminder that every act of service, whether through legal skills or community outreach, has the power to transform lives. She expressed pride in how the firm's offices came together to give their time, resources and compassion to support Floridians in need.

Across Florida, Shutts offices implemented diverse service initiatives with measurable impact. In West Palm Beach, attorneys and staff organized a food drive benefiting the Palm Beach County Food Bank, collecting 815 pounds of food sufficient to provide more than 679 nutritious meals to local families, children, seniors and individuals facing food insecurity. The Fort Lauderdale office hosted an in-office volunteer event in partnership with Ranger Good Works, assembling more than 50 bags of essentials and treats for underprivileged families from Dillard Elementary School.

The Tallahassee office partnered with the new First Amendment Clinic at Florida State University, founded by former Shutts attorney Denise Harle, to support pro bono litigation advancing free speech and religious liberty issues. This collaboration demonstrates how legal expertise can be leveraged to protect fundamental constitutional rights while providing practical experience for future attorneys. In Tampa, the team coordinated a Dunk for a Cause fundraiser on October 16 that combined entertainment with philanthropy, raising $4,730 for breast cancer research and DIPG advocacy while securing 315 pledged pro bono hours.

Miami hosted an educational Pro Bono Month celebration and panel discussion on October 22 featuring Chief Judge Laurel M. Isicoff of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida and Stephanie Grosman, Esq., of Dade Legal Aid. The event, moderated by Shutts attorneys Emma Refuveille and Julissa Rodriguez, explored the importance of pro bono service and opportunities through the Business Law Section's Pro Bono Committee and Dade Legal Aid's Put Something Back Project, followed by a networking reception that fostered connections among legal professionals committed to public service.

These initiatives highlight the legal industry's evolving role in addressing community needs beyond traditional legal representation. By combining direct service with legal education and advocacy, Shutts & Bowen demonstrates how law firms can leverage their resources and expertise to create meaningful social impact. The firm's approach to Pro Bono Month serves as a model for how professional organizations can integrate community service into their corporate culture while addressing pressing social issues. As Shenhav noted in closing the month's activities, these collective efforts reflect what the firm stands for year-round using professional talents to serve and strengthen communities throughout Florida.