At FAWL’s annual installation luncheon on June 17, LSGMI Executive Director Marcia Cypen presented FAWL with its 2011 Pro Bono Award for the Lotus House “Financial Fresh Start” Street Law Project, a joint pro bono project with LSGMI. “In my thirty five years with LSGMI, I have never seen a pro bono project that was so enthusiastically embraced,” said Cypen.

Click here for photos of the Louts House Street Law Graduation

With leadership from FAWL President Kristy Johnson and FAWL board member Deborah Baker, and with support and participation from the FAWL board of directors and Judge Rosemary Barkett, more than ten volunteers from FAWL and the local banking community worked with LSGMI’S Deputy Director Margaret Zehren and Staff Attorney Anna Frusciante to develop and implement this creative new project.

For six weeks, the volunteers devoted nights and weekends to this amazing successful project which had a life changing impact on the 50 women residing at the Lotus House, bringing them closer to their goal of financial stability and independence.

"With over 500,000 people living in poverty in our community, the need for free legal services is overwhelming and cannot possibly be met by our staff alone. That is why pro bono is so critical to achieving our mission of equal justice," said Cypen. “It is also the reason behind the one campaign—one lawyer. One client. One promise. The Florida Association for Woman Lawyers went well beyond that goal with the Lotus House Street Law Project."