Jan Brown with 13th Judicial Circuit Court Judges Catherine McEwen and Emily Peacock
It was a proud moment for the James Hoyer Law Firm as paralegal Jan Brown was named the very 1st recipient of the Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Paralegal Award in Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit. Jan graciously accepted the award at a ceremony at the Chester Ferguson Law Center in Tampa, on April 24th, 2014. (See video and pictures below)
“I’m very passionate about pro bono work, because I think it’s important to give back to the community,” Jan said. “There are so many people in need of legal services who can’t afford them, so we all need to do our part.”
Jan was honored for providing more than 125 hours of pro bono work on various projects ranging from the Wills for Heroes program to cases on child custody, student loan debt, and foreclosure.
Attorney Nancy Lugo, Bay Area Legal Services Pro Bono Manager, presented Jan with the award. Nancy praised Jan for selflessly dedicating herself, not only to pro bono clients in need, but also to organizations that provide pro bono service to the indigent, including Bay Area Legal Services, the Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program, and the Hillsborough County Bar Association.
Jan has served as the Pro Bono Chair for the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association for the past three years. She is also on the Association’s Board of Directors and was its 2012-2013 Vice President. In her role there, she has tirelessly encouraged other paralegals to join in the spirit of giving pro bono time.
Jan continued to champion the cause, in her charming and infectious way, as she accepted the award, saying, “I warn everybody to be careful, because pro bono, volunteer work can be addictive, and you may never quit!” Please join us in congratulating Jan for his honor.
We would also like to congratulate James Hoyer Attorney Jillian Estes for being recognized at this year’s ceremony, as a Hillsborough County Attorney who has provided more than 20 hours of pro bono service. In 2012, Jillian was the recipient of the Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Young Lawyer Award in Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit.
Photos from the 2014 Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Awards:
2014 Pro Bono Award Recipients (from L to R)
Wes Tibbals – Rosemary Armstrong – Betsey Hapner – Morris “Sandy” Weinberg, Jr. – Sara Alpert –
Jan Brown
Jan with James Hoyer Attorneys Jillian Estes and Jess Hoyer
Jan with James Hoyer Communications Director Angie Moreschi
Jan Brown with award presenter BALS Attorney Nancy Lugo
Jan with Attorney Katie Everlove-Stone