The Sixth Judicial Circuit gathered on Friday to honor attorneys who delivered exceptional pro bono legal services throughout 2025. We extend our sincere thanks to all of the lawyers recognized during this ceremony.
Bay Legal Services, Gulfcoast Legal Services, the Community Law Program, the Sixth Circuit’s Guardian Ad Litem Program, and the Fred Minnis Bar Association provided the Committee with the 2025 pro bono hours for their volunteer attorneys who contributed 20 or more hours of service. This year’s honorees collectively dedicated between 20 and 253 hours of pro bono work.
Purpose of the Pro Bono Committee
Each Judicial Circuit in Florida is required by the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar to establish a Pro Bono Committee. The Committee’s mission is to encourage attorneys to participate in pro bono service, assess the community’s legal needs, and identify resources to help meet those needs.
Approximately 30 attorneys were recognized for their outstanding contributions. The ceremony also included posthumous acknowledgements for Russel Cheatham and Paul Cavonis, honoring their many years of dedicated pro bono service. Russell Cheatham’s longtime legal assistant, Tamara, accepted his certificate, and Paul Cavonis’ son, local attorney Michael Cavonis, accepted Mr. Cavonis’ certificate on his behalf.
Anyone interested in joining the Sixth Circuit’s Pro Bono Committee is invited to email section25@jud6.org.