Pro bono work was the theme at the Miami-Dade Bar's latest awards luncheon, which honored 19 attorneys and judges at SLS Brickell on Oct. 15. Click right to view photos of the judges and attorneys who attended the event. |

Here's a list of who won what:

Dade Legal Aid executive director Karen Josefsberg Ladis won the Johnnie M. Ridgely President's Award, named after one of her key mentors. "For the past three decades, she has worked tirelessly to provide greater access to justice for thousands of low-income individuals and families in need of civil legal assistance," the Miami-Dade Bar's program said. The Criminal Justice Award went to Neal Sonnet, former assistant U.S. attorney and criminal division chief for the Southern District of Florida, who's nationally known for his white-collar criminal defense work. Cynthia Stafford was presented with the Robert Shevin Public Service Award after more than 20 years of handling domestic violence cases at Dade Legal Aid. "She is a true visionary leader and agent of change," the Miami-Dade Bar said. Third District Court of Appeal Judge Fleur Lobree secured the Mario Goderich Ethics Award, recognizing her professionalism and commitment to ethical practice, while her colleague Judge Kevin Emas won the Alan Schwartz Judicial Excellence Award for his dedication to the legal community and judicial system. Van Horn Law Group founding partner Chad Van Horn in Fort Lauderdale was recognized for representing more than 20 pro bono clients in bankruptcy cases. "The overall improvement of our community starts with giving our citizens—people who make up the foundation of our community—equal access to the justice system," Van Horn said. Miami insurance litigator Anthony S. Hearn was honored for his child advocacy work, and for helping raise $50,000 for the Put Something Back pro bono project with a fitness challenge for kids. The Community Service Award went to Erik C. Alexander, vice president of Truist Wealth Legal Specialty Group, who volunteered on the board of directors for the Boy Scouts of America, South Florida Council and the Disaster Workforce for the American Red Cross. Kendall attorney Patricia Mesa landed a Family Law Pro Bono Award for handling more than a dozen divorce, visitation, child custody and other cases for Put Something Back, and Duane Morris associate Kassia Fialkoff was recognized for her guardian ad litem work in complex family cases. Simon, Schindler and Sandberg associate Tammi A. Calarco is a "true leader and collaborator," according to the Miami-Dade Bar, which honored her for representing many low-income tenants facing eviction. Hochsztein & Harrison-Jolly partner Fred Hochsztein was awarded a Guardianship Pro Bono Award for "accepting without hesitation several extremely challenging matters" for Put Something Back, including probate administration for clients whose loved ones died with COVID-19. IPS Legal Group managing partner Joycelyn Brown was recognized for her more than 50 hours of pro bono services to patent clients. "I aim to help people who have a passion for innovation and invention but don't have the means to share their ideas with the world," Brown said. The Rising Star Pro Bono Award went to Adam C. Finkel of the Haggard Law Firm in Coral Gables, who "has risen to the occasion whenever called upon to serve," according to the Miami-Dade Bar. Former Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Celeste Muir was presented with the Richard C. Milstein Pro Bono Excellence Award as a longtime supporter of Dade Legal Aid and serving 35 years on the bench. She was also the first female president of the Miami-Dade Bar's Young Lawyers Section. Randi Perry Spallina, of counsel to Bressler, Amery & Ross in Fort Lauderdale, won an award for handling six probate administration cases for Put Something Back clients. "Pro bono work is crucial to the strength of our communities and much needed here in Florida," Spallina said. "I am grateful that Bressler encourages pro bono work and will continue to do my part to positively impact the lives of pro bono clients and marginalized communities." Iberiabank First Horizon's senior vice president Adalberto "Bert" De Armas won an award honoring the legacy of his late colleague Terrence Biddulph. "Bert is always there to lend a helping hand to support initiatives such as Battle of the Legal Bands and Speeding Lawfully Spinning Challenge," the Miami-Dade Bar said. The Outstanding Law Student Award went to 2L St. Thomas University student Alexander Maza, who gave 120 hours of his time to legal research and pro bono screenings during a summer internship at Put Something Back. Mary Lou Rodon of Rodon Law won The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Award for the Miami-Dade Circuit for volunteering hundreds of hours in dependency court.