MIAMI – April 23, 2019 – Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A. announced it will serve as a member of the steering committee for Governor Ron DeSantis’ Governor’s Initiative on Lawyers Assisting Warriors (GI LAW). DeSantis launched the initiative April 18 during a visit to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
GI LAW will leverage the talent of Florida’s leading law firms to provide pro bono services to military members statewide. Through the program, men and women in uniform will receive free legal counsel in a variety of civil manners, including actions in local courts.
“We believe strongly that those who serve our nation are entitled to our support,” said Cesar L. Alvarez, Greenberg Traurig Senior Chairman who will serve as a member of the steering committee. “That’s why when the Governor called I didn’t hesitate to volunteer.”
Military members looking for legal counsel will be able to fill out an application for screening by a local JAG officer, who will then match them with participating attorneys from Greenberg Traurig or other participating firms. Greenberg Traurig attorneys from the firm’s seven Florida offices will volunteer their services.
“It’s part of our long-standing firm culture of giving back to the local communities where we work and live,” said Greenberg Traurig Co-President Bradford D. Kaufman who joined Governor DeSantis during his visit to Eglin Air Force Base. “We look forward to supporting the Governor’s initiative and making a difference in the lives of our Florida military.”
As part of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Pro Bono Program the firm has its own initiative to match active military and veterans in need of legal services with firm attorneys through partnerships with veterans’ organizations across the United States. During the past year, the program helped veterans with matters including discharge upgrades, benefits appeals and discrimination cases. In addition, attorneys have worked with active duty service members to resolve many of their basic legal issues including auto accidents, contract disputes, divorce, and child custody.
“Veterans and active duty military face a unique set of legal challenges and we have found there is a significant need for services that help them resolve these challenges,” said Caroline J. Heller, chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Pro Bono Program.
In Florida, the firm worked in conjunction with the Orlando Regional Realtor Association to represent four veterans in connection with the acquisitions of new homes being donated to them. In addition, as the largest contributor to the Equal Justice Works public interest law fellowship program, the firm has supported many other projects focused on helping veterans both in Florida and beyond. A recent fellow in Tampa, who was hosted by Bay Area Legal Services and co-sponsored by The Florida Bar Foundation, established a weekly walk-in clinic for veterans’ legal issues at Bay Pines VA. This effort provided representation to 60 veterans and assisted more than 500 veterans with advice, services and referrals.
About Greenberg Traurig’s Pro Bono Program: Greenberg Traurig lawyers across the firm’s offices provide pro bono legal services to the indigent and working poor, as well as to numerous civic and charitable organizations dedicated to assisting them. The firm focuses its resources on specialized and interrelated issues including civil rights and affirmative action, anti-human trafficking, family law matters, children’s rights, criminal appeals, immigration and political asylum, housing, and homelessness.
About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 39 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.
GI LAW will leverage the talent of Florida’s leading law firms to provide pro bono services to military members statewide. Through the program, men and women in uniform will receive free legal counsel in a variety of civil manners, including actions in local courts.
“We believe strongly that those who serve our nation are entitled to our support,” said Cesar L. Alvarez, Greenberg Traurig Senior Chairman who will serve as a member of the steering committee. “That’s why when the Governor called I didn’t hesitate to volunteer.”
Military members looking for legal counsel will be able to fill out an application for screening by a local JAG officer, who will then match them with participating attorneys from Greenberg Traurig or other participating firms. Greenberg Traurig attorneys from the firm’s seven Florida offices will volunteer their services.
“It’s part of our long-standing firm culture of giving back to the local communities where we work and live,” said Greenberg Traurig Co-President Bradford D. Kaufman who joined Governor DeSantis during his visit to Eglin Air Force Base. “We look forward to supporting the Governor’s initiative and making a difference in the lives of our Florida military.”
As part of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Pro Bono Program the firm has its own initiative to match active military and veterans in need of legal services with firm attorneys through partnerships with veterans’ organizations across the United States. During the past year, the program helped veterans with matters including discharge upgrades, benefits appeals and discrimination cases. In addition, attorneys have worked with active duty service members to resolve many of their basic legal issues including auto accidents, contract disputes, divorce, and child custody.
“Veterans and active duty military face a unique set of legal challenges and we have found there is a significant need for services that help them resolve these challenges,” said Caroline J. Heller, chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Pro Bono Program.
In Florida, the firm worked in conjunction with the Orlando Regional Realtor Association to represent four veterans in connection with the acquisitions of new homes being donated to them. In addition, as the largest contributor to the Equal Justice Works public interest law fellowship program, the firm has supported many other projects focused on helping veterans both in Florida and beyond. A recent fellow in Tampa, who was hosted by Bay Area Legal Services and co-sponsored by The Florida Bar Foundation, established a weekly walk-in clinic for veterans’ legal issues at Bay Pines VA. This effort provided representation to 60 veterans and assisted more than 500 veterans with advice, services and referrals.
About Greenberg Traurig’s Pro Bono Program: Greenberg Traurig lawyers across the firm’s offices provide pro bono legal services to the indigent and working poor, as well as to numerous civic and charitable organizations dedicated to assisting them. The firm focuses its resources on specialized and interrelated issues including civil rights and affirmative action, anti-human trafficking, family law matters, children’s rights, criminal appeals, immigration and political asylum, housing, and homelessness.
About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 39 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.