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MIAMI, Fla. -- March 1, 2010 -- At Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.’s Passing of the Gavel Ceremony on February 25, 2010, The Honorable Joel Brown, Chief Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit, installed LSGMI’s 2010 Board Officers:

President: Garrett J. Biondo, Esq.,The Biondo Law Firm, P.A.
1st Vice President: Carlos J. Canino, Esq., Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.
2nd Vice President: Yanick J. Landess
Treasurer: Lance E. Harke, Esq., Harke & Clasby, L.L.P.
Secretary: Gisela M. Munoz, Esq., Hughes, Hubbard & Reed, LLP

“It is a privilege and honor to work with the lawyers and staff of LSGMI,” said Biondo. “We respect you, we admire you, and we are inspired by you. Collectively, you have helped tens of thousands of people in this community over the years in a wide variety of areas and you deserve our applause.”

Outgoing Board President John W. “Jack” McLuskey, Esq., McLuskey & McDonald, P.A., was presented with an award by Commissioner Katy Sorenson, who acknowledged him for his inspired leadership over the past two years and for his personal commitment to LSGMI’s vision of equal justice. McLuskey was also acknowledged for initiating LSGMI’s Together, We Must Campaign for Justice, which has raised over $730,000 in gifts and pledges as of February 25, 2010.

Installed as new Board members were: Stephanie L. Carman, Esq., Hogan & Hartson, LLP; Nancy Cooper, representing Homeless/Formerly Homeless Forum, Inc.; Derek A. Jackson, Esq.,Florida Marlins, L.P.; Deborah B. Jofre, Esq., Lipscomb, Brady & Bobadilla, PL, representing FAWL; Tamara Kilcrease, representing Grubstake Resources; Maria E. Lauredo, Esq., Assistant Public Defender, representing The Public Defender’s Office; Timothy M. Ravich, Esq., Clarke Silverglate & Campbell, P.A., representing the Dade County Bar Association; Alan Sajous, representing The Family Christian Association of American, Inc.; Devetria Stratford, representing LIFFT; Vicente A. Tome, Esq., Burger King Corporation; and Rocio Tucen, representing Little Havana Community Partnership.

“We are privileged to have such talented members of the community volunteering their time to serve on our Board,” said Marcia K. Cypen, LSGMI Executive Director. “Their leadership is invaluable to our efforts to promote our vision of empowering clients and alleviating the hardships of poverty.”

LSGMI’s 33 staff attorneys address daily legal problems and systemic issues affecting the low income community in the areas of housing, government benefits, special education, and community economic development. Special projects target vulnerable groups including children, veterans, people who are HIV positive, and the homeless. Women head 59% of the households served by LSGMI; 23% are headed by seniors. Almost 40% of all household members are children; 68% are the working poor.

LSGMI’s main office is located at 3000 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 500 (305-576-0080). LSGMI’s regional office located at 10720 Caribbean Blvd, Suite 400 serves South Dade (305-232-9680) and Monroe County (877-715-7464 Toll Free).