Florida Bar: Starr Law Office to Receive Commendation for Pro Bono Work

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Jan. 10 -- The Florida Bar issued the following news release on Jan. 9:

The Starr Law Office, P.A., will receive the 2020 Law Firm Commendation at the annual Pro Bono Awards ceremony on Jan. 30 at the Supreme Court of Florida. The commendation honors significant contributions in the delivery of legal services to individuals or groups on a pro bono basis. The commendation will be presented by Chief Justice Charles T. Canady.

Starr Law Offices, P.A., was established in Pinellas County in 1991 by Ted Starr, who has been working in the areas of personal injury, estate planning and probate for almost 30 years and giving back through pro bono work for nearly as long. Since 2008, Starr has logged more than 407 hours with the Community Law Program. Starr participates in a monthly bankruptcy advice clinic discussing how bankruptcy works, the consequences of filing and other options. He also leads community education programs focused on bankruptcy and foreclosure.

In March 2018, Hieu Le joined the Starr Law Offices family. Le attends bimonthly housing clinics and has donated nearly 154 hours to the Community Law Program assisting clients facing eviction and or foreclosure.

At one of the clinics, Le was introduced to twin 82-year-old sisters brought to the clinic by a neighbor because they were facing foreclosure after failing to maintain homeowner's insurance after getting a reverse mortgage. Le knew he had to help the sisters, so he stepped in to defend against the foreclosure action. This was a Starr Law Firm team effort because Ted Starr then stepped in to assist with their Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The sisters are living in their home today because of the pro bono efforts of Le and Starr. This was just one example of the difference that can be made when the whole firm commits to pro bono legal services.

This year's awards ceremony, which also honors individual, Distinguished Judicial Service, Distinguished Federal Judicial Service, Voluntary Bar Association and Young Lawyer Division pro bono efforts, is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 30, at 3:30 p.m. at the Supreme Court of Florida. The ceremony will be streamed live at http://wfsu.org/gavel2gavel as well as on Facebook at www.facebook.com/floridasupremecourt and The Florida Channel.

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About The Florida Bar

Founded in 1949, The Florida Bar serves the legal profession for the protection and benefit of both the public and all Florida lawyers. As one of the nation's largest mandatory bars, The Florida Bar fosters and upholds a high standard of integrity and competence within Florida's legal profession as an official arm of the Florida Supreme Court.