FRLS 2024 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2024

Putting Clients at the Center for 58 Years

FLORIDA RURAL LEGAL SERVICES Non-Profit Law Firm

Contact Us

1-888-582-3410 Visit Our Website

Prepared in

December 2024

FRLS.org

TABLE OF CONTENT Page 3

About FRLS

Page 4

Our Executive Director

Page 5-8

Our Impact & Top Services for 2024

Page 6

Helping Survivors of Domestic Violence

Page 7

Helping Survivors of Natural Disasters

Page 9

Provided Services & Top Cases Closed

Page 10

2024 Client Demographic Breakdown

Page 11-13

2024 Special Events

Page 14-15 Pro Bono Highlights Page 16

Community Partners

Page 17

FRLS Champions: Funders

Page 17

FRLS Leadership

Page 18

FRLS Board of Directors

Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Florida Rural Legal Services

About FRLS, Non-Profit Law Firm In 1966, as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, the Office of Economic Opportunity, led by R. Sargent Shriver, launched a two-year pilot project to provide legal services to farmworkers in six South Florida counties. Originally called South Florida Migrant Services, this initiative sought to address the urgent legal needs of a population often overlooked and underserved.

Lauded for its success, the project remains part of the only legal services organization in Florida that provides aid to farmworkers and migrant workers throughout the state. That organization is Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS).

Non-Profit Law Firm Making an Impact Across Florida Firmly grounded in its origins, FRLS has grown to address a wide range of legal needs, including consumer protection, family law, employment, public benefits, elder services, lowincome tax assistance, housing law, and individual and civil rights. Whether it’s securing SSI benefits for a child with disabilities or fighting for fair wages for exploited H-2A farmworkers, FRLS is a steadfast advocate for justice and equity. Every year, FRLS handles thousands of cases, offering critical support to low-income individuals and families.

In 2024, FRLS achieved significant milestones in its mission to deliver justice and hope to those in need. When Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated parts of Florida, FRLS sprang into action. Through its Disaster Legal Services program, FRLS provided critical support, helping families deal with housing issues due to the hurricanes, access Disaster SNAP benefits, FEMA aid, unemployment resources, and going after fraudulent contractors.

Strategic Planning To ensure it continues to meet the evolving needs of Florida’s communities, FRLS partnered with Hart Core Solutions to craft a bold three-year strategic plan. Launched in May, this plan is a roadmap to drive FRLS toward new heights of excellence and impact. Key goals include optimizing resource allocation, achieving financial sustainability, fostering leadership succession, and integrating advanced technology to improve service delivery.

How Did Some of Our Clients Find FRLS in 2024:

17.5%

9.5%

Prior Use (Returning Clients)

Search Engines & Social Media

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

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Florida Rural Legal Services

About Newly Hired Executive Director

Leticia Medina-Richman joined FRLS on October 15, 2024 as the Executive Director.

Medina-Richman brings decades of legal expertise and a strong commitment to social justice to her leadership role at FRLS. Before joining FRLS, Medina-Richman served as Chief Operating Officer at Community Legal Aid (CLA) in Massachusetts, where she oversaw daily administrative and operational functions. She also led CLA’s subsidiary, the Central West Justice Center (CWJC), for seven years, managing operations and supervising staff across various practice areas including immigration, housing, employment, and benefits law.

Medina-Richman’s legal career began in Massachusetts at the Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts, a predecessor to CLA. Over nearly a decade, she specialized in landlord-tenant disputes, housing discrimination, and foreclosure defense before being named Director of CWJC. In this role, she guided teams in Worcester, Springfield, Northampton, and Pittsfield while also leading the statewide Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Project.

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

Florida Rural Legal Services held its final Board meeting of the year on Saturday, December 7, in Sarasota, where Executive Director Leticia Medina-Richman provided updates on the organization’s progress. The meeting highlighted the dedicated efforts of FRLS staff, who have been actively involved in providing critical legal services to vulnerable communities.

The organization continues to expand its pro bono efforts, with the team making more than 100 recruiting attempts per month, reaching out to attorneys via cold calling, emails, and networking at events. Over the past quarter, 42 pro bono cases were opened, with 46 successfully closed.

FRLS also conducted 10 pro bono clinics in October and November, with two more scheduled for December.

FRLS has increased its focus on professional development for the staff, sending staff members to a variety of substantive training courses and conducting in-house trainings as well.

Lastly, the firm launched a bi-monthly e-newsletter, “Victory and Voices: Real Story, Real Impact,” which highlights client victories and the advocates who help achieve them.

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Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Impact and Services Watch This Client Testimonial:

How FRLS Helps Clients with Housing Problems: Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) plays a crucial role in addressing housing law issues, particularly for low-income individuals and families who may otherwise be unable to access legal representation.

Protection from Eviction: FRLS attorneys defend tenants, negotiate payment plans, or challenge unlawful eviction practices, preventing unnecessary displacement.

Addressing Uninhabitable Conditions:

FRLS advocates assist tenants in enforcing their rights to safe and habitable housing, ensuring landlords meet their obligations to maintain the property.

Foreclosure Prevention: FRLS staff can help homeowners negotiate with their lenders for alternatives to foreclosure, such as loan modifications, forbearance agreements, or repayment plans.

Housing Related Cases Closed in 2024

4,400

Private Landlord/Tenant Cases Closed

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

1,200

Rental and Utility Assistance Cases Closed

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Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Impact and Services How FRLS Helps Clients with Family Law Issues, Including Domestic Violence: FRLS is dedicated to helping low-income families navigate complex family law issues and escape situations of abuse and violence.

Assistance with Divorce: For those going through divorce, FRLS offers assistance with key issues such as ensuring marital property is divided fairly and that the best interests of children are prioritized in timesharing, custody arrangements, parenting plans, alimony, and child support.

Assistance with Paternity Cases: Paternity cases legally confirm who a child’s biological father is and address important issues like the father’s rights and responsibilities, visitation, and financial support. FRLS helps families with paternity cases to protect everyone’s rights and prioritize the child’s wellbeing.

Assistance with Parenting Plans:

FRLS helps parents create parenting plans that outline responsibilities and decision-making for their children.

These plans provide a detailed parenting time schedule, outlining when each parent will spend time with the child, including weekdays, weekends, holidays, and school breaks.

Watch This Client Testimonial:

Helping Survivors of Domestic Violence: Everyone deserves to live in a safe environment, free from violence and fear. Survivors can reach out to FRLS for legal support, including assistance with injunctions and orders of protection - which are issued by a court to stop someone from threatening, harassing, or harming another person and help to prevent an abuser from coming near or contacting the survivor. Our team can assist survivors with divorce cases involving abuse, custody, and child support.

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

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Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Impact and Services How FRLS Helps Clients with Issues after Natural Disasters: During the initial weeks following a disaster, FRLS focuses on urgent housing issues and income protection. Our team of dedicated disaster attorneys and paralegals assists qualified residents at no cost with: Housing: Lease terminations, evictions, utility shutoffs, security deposits, repair issues, FEMA applications, and insurance claims.

Document Replacement: Birth certificates, driver’s licenses, social security cards, and deeds.

Income Protection: Wage theft issues, unemployment applications/appeals, public benefits applications/appeals, and U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan applications.

"Our dedicated team of disaster attorneys and paralegals works tirelessly to protect the rights and interests of disaster victims," said Denise Badaracco, Marketing & Communications Director for FRLS. "We pursue fraudulent contractors, assist with insurance claims and FEMA appeals, and ensure landlords comply with the law after a storm. Our mission is to provide the necessary legal support to help communities recover and thrive after a disaster."

Case Type Opened Due to Hurricanes:

81.13%

of Disaster Related Consumer Cases involved Issues with Contracts & Warranties

Watch This Client Testimonial:

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

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Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Impact and Services How FRLS Provides Ongoing Support After Natural Disasters: As the recovery process continues, FRLS expands its services to address more complex housing and consumer issues, as well as family and education matters. This includes: Housing & Consumer Matters: FEMA appeals, landlord-tenant issues, FEMA/U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rent subsidy renewals, displaced public housing/tenant issues, foreclosure prevention, real property title clearing and probate, Section 8 portability, mobile home questions, repair and contractor scams, insurance scams and claims disputes, and price gouging.

Family & Education Matters: Access to public education while displaced, powers of attorney for care of a child or senior, guardianships and supportive decision-making, emergency custody modifications, parenting order modifications due to new home/school locations, and domestic violence issues, including protective orders.

Opened Cases Due to Hurricanes:

50.22%

of ALL Disaster Cases involved Housing Issues

Even years after a disaster, FRLS continues to provide vital legal services to ensure longterm stability and recovery. Our long-term support includes: Housing Matters: Foreclosures, landlord-tenant issues, flood insurance disputes, FEMA recoupments, and other housing disputes.

Consumer Matters: Disaster tax relief applications and bankruptcies.

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

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Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Impact and Reach

SERVICES PROVIDED BY FRLS

Consumer Legal Aid

Disaster Legal Aid

Education Legal Aid

Elder Legal Aid

Family Legal Aid

Housing Legal Aid

Immigration Legal Aid

Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

Help with Public Benefits

Help with Farmworkers

Areas of Law with Most Number of Closed Cases: Private Landlord/Tenant Cases Federally Subsidized Housing Cases

Divorce/Sep./Annul. Cases

Domestic Abuse Cases

Paternity Cases

Collection/Repo/Def/Garnishment Cases

2024 Closed Cases

0

500

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

1000

1500

2000

2500

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Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Client Demographic Breakdown Who We Served:

63%

women

37% men

47.3% of Clients were Aged 36-59 32% of Clients were Seniors (60+)

40.7% of Clients were Black 18% of Clients were Hispanic/Latino FRLS’ Service Areas: Charlotte County Desoto County Glades County Hardee County Hendry County Highlands County Indian River County Lee County

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

Martin County Okeechobee County Palm Beach County Polk County St. Lucie County Statewide for Farmworkers

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Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Special Events FRLS at Outreach Events:

Fort Myers Staff at Disaster Outreach Event

Fort Pierce Staff with WPBF News

Belle Glade Staff at Senior Citizen Event

City of Fort Myers Recognizes FRLS’ Disaster Legal Services Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) has been honored with a special proclamation from the City of Fort Myers, designating May 5-11, 2024 as National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

This recognition underscores the pivotal role of FRLS in providing free legal aid services to residents, particularly in the aftermath of devastating hurricanes.

"This proclamation from the City of Fort Myers highlights the importance of free disaster legal aid services provided by Florida Rural Legal Services and recognizes their significant contribution to the well-being and resilience of our community," stated Michelle Trunkett, Director of Advocacy at FRLS. "We are deeply honored to accept this proclamation on behalf of Florida Rural Legal Services.”

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

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Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Special Events

FRLS Helps Lake Shore Middle School Students Excel in Mock Trial Lake Shore Middle School students took center stage at the Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley Courthouse, in downtown West Palm Beach, to present their mock trial before The Honorable Danielle Sherriff of The Fifteenth Circuit Judiciary, on Thursday, Jan. 25.

The event not only showcased the students' keen understanding of the legal system but also highlighted the collaborative effort between the school, the legal community, and the local dignitaries in the audience.

Judge Danielle Sherriff, a distinguished bilingual jurist fluent in both English and Haitian Creole, presided over the mock trial. She holds the distinction of being the first Haitian American woman appointed to the bench in Palm Beach County.

The mock trial program, tailored to middle school students, unfolded over two or more class periods, culminating in an in-court recorded trial simulation.

FRLS Attorney Kanisha Taylor, serving as the volunteer attorney, played a pivotal role in guiding and facilitating the mock trial.

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

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Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Special Events

FRLS Celebrates New Fort Myers Office with Ribbon Cutting and Pro Bono Recognition Event FRLS marked the opening of its new office in Fort Myers on Friday, Oct. 25, with a festive ribbon cutting and pro bono recognition event. The event highlighted the firm’s commitment to providing accessible legal services while honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the community.

The program kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony, marking the official opening of the new office. Attendees were invited to take guided tours of the facility, showcasing the resources available to better serve low-income and vulnerable residents in the area.

Heartfelt speeches from Dennis and Executive Director Leticia MedinaRichman underscored the importance of community involvement.

"We are excited to open this new office, which reflects our commitment to serving the underserved in Southwest Florida," Dennis said. "With the support of our community partners, we can continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who need it most."

Peter Dennis, FRLS’s Fort Myers Managing Attorney, served as the master of ceremonies, guiding the attendees through the day's events.

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

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Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Pro Bono Attorney Recognition Abel Putnam Albert Batista Alison Leffew Amanda Traweek Andrew Epstein Antony Kolenc Arthur Brandt Ashleigh Bennett Barbara Cook Beth Ann Sexton Carl Domino Catherine Eaton Charles Nathaniel White Crystal Potts Cynthia Pyfrom David Fineman David Lampely David P. Slater Denise Tessier Destiney Smith Devin Mace

Douglas Spiegel Dustin Michael Butler Erin Kirkwood Glenn Crickenberger Grant Lyons Greg Nuussibickel Guinx Toussaint Heather Bryan Hurcomb Roberts James Hubbard Jan Howell Jason Berger Jessica Van Valkenburg Joel Weiner John Anastasio Julie Farach Julie Treacy Karla Campos Anderson Kati Calvo Katie Kohn Kathryn McHale

Kenny Kemp Kevin Sarlo Kim Cunzo Kim Rushton Kimberly Soto Krista Mahalak Kristiana Soto Kriston Bishop Lauren Casey Laura Maxwell Lisa Barnes Lisa Gelman Lisa Musial Lorraine Barker Marc Dobin Mark C. Anderson Mary Snell Matthew Irwin Melinda Jacobs Michael Mortell Minerva Poblet

Pamela Karlson Regine Monestine Richard Barkin Richard Johnston Jr. Robert Young Roger Messer Rosemary Baitson Ryan Grazi Samantha Vacciana Scott Devore Shahar Pasch Shannon Linton Steven Messer Steven Spence Susan Chesnutt Tarek Kiem Theresa Daniels Tim Culhane Tony Kolenc Trent Steele Tina El Fadel

FRLS’ Pro Bono Highlights:

900 total Pro Bono Recruiting Cold Calls & Emails

55.32% of Pro Bono Cases or Clinics Were Placed with a Volunteer Attorney

FRLS’ Pro Bono Unit: (Seen Left-Right) Pro Bono Coordinator Amanda Levy-Reis, Pro Bono Manager Britt Berg, Pro Bono Coordinator Agnes Lambert, and Pro Bono Paralegal Stevie Stevens

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

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Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Pro Bono Attorney Recognition FRLS Celebrates Outstanding Pro Bono Service by Tony Kolenc and Lauren Baugh FRLS honored Tony Kolenc, a law professor at Ave Maria School of Law and retired Air Force JAG Lieutenant Colonel, in Fort Myers on Friday, Oct. 25 for his outstanding pro bono contributions. His dedication to justice, education, and creative outreach, including his podcast The Shepherd's Pie and legal column in Practical Homeschooling Magazine, exemplifies the spirit of service.

Lauren Baugh, Executive Director of the Lee County Bar Association, was also recognized for her impactful pro bono work, expanding access to justice and supporting the community through her nonprofit "Shoes, Socks, Shirts & Smiles," aiding the homeless.

Lee County Partners with FRLS Pro Bono Team to Provide Free Legal Services to Veterans and First Responders Veterans, first responders, and their families received critical legal assistance during a free event hosted by Lee County in partnership with FRLS. The initiative, designed to support those who serve and protect, offered attendees help with drafting essential legal documents, including simple wills, powers of attorney, and medical directives.

The partnership between Lee County and FRLS reflects a broader commitment to community service and legal advocacy.

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

FRLS’ Pro Bono Recognition Ceremony

FRLS’ Helping Heroes Pro Bono Initiative 15

Florida Rural Legal Services

2024 Community Partners Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT) Fort Myers American Red Cross (Florida Southern Gulf Coast Chapter) Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Florida Bay Area Legal Services Bay Pines VA Medical Center-Port Charlotte CareerSource Catholic Charities Catholic Charities Community Services (New York) Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice Charlotte County Family Services Center Charlotte County Government Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity Charlotte County Human Services City of Cape Coral City of Riviera Beach Library Cityside Suites Coalition for Independent Living Options, Inc. (PSL-CILO) Coalition of Florida Farmworkers Organization Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Fl Community Foundation of Sarasota Community Partners of Southeast Florida Desoto County Board of County Commissioners Drug Free Charlotte County Dunbar Community East Coast Migrant Headstart Englewood Helping Hands Fish of SanCap Florida Community Health Centers Florida Division of Emergency Management Georgia Legal Services Goodwill Arcadia Goodwill Manasota GPC/CDF Goodwill of Southwest Florida Greater Pine Island Alliance Gulf Coast Partnership Hardee Help Center Health Counsel of Southeast Florida Heartland Rural Health Network Highlands Hope Homeless Coalition of Southwest Florida Immokalee Health Project Immokalee Interagency Joseph Project 863 Inc. Lake Shore Middle School

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

Lee County Unmet Needs Long Term Recovery Group Lee County VA Clinic Lee Health Legal Aid Ohio Legal Services New York City Legal Services of North Florida Legal Services of Northern Virginia Mandel Public Library Martin County's Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Migrant Farmworkers North West Justice Project Office of the Regional Conflict (WPB) OCRCC- Office of Regional Conflict Counsel (15th Circuit) Orange County Bar Association Pace Women’s Justice Center Palm Beach County Community Services Palm Beach County Housing Authority Palm Beach County Public Safety Department Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Palm Beach County Victim Services (courthouse location) Philadelphia Legal Assistance Providence Family Life Center Providence Family Life Center (Fort Myers) Rebel Recovery Redlands Christian Migrant Association Riviera Beach Victim Services Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) Safe Space (Stuart Office) St. Johns County Legal Aid St. Lucie County's Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller The Children's Network of Southwest Florida, LLC The Glades Initiative, Inc. The Heights Foundation The Patterson Foundation The Salvation Army Three Rivers Legal Services United Policy Holders United Way of Lee Hendry and Glades Counties Veterans Administration Women's Shelter in Immokalee

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Florida Rural Legal Services

The Leadership

Leticia Medina-Richman Executive Director

Lisa Boemmel

Deputy Director

Michelle Trunkett

Angela Thompson

Advocacy Director

Hotline and Migrant Hotline Director

Peter Dennis

Kanisha Taylor

Fort Myers Regional Managing Attorney

Riviera Beach/WPB Regional Managing Attorney

Tikisha Brundidge Chief Operating Officer

Denise Badaracco Marketing & Comms Director

Maryann Diaz Acting Lakeland Regional Managing Attorney

Jeffrey Greene Chief Financial Officer

Michele Glass

Jose Muniz

HR - Operations Director

IT Director

Iola Mosley

Britt Berg

Fort Pierce Regional Managing Attorney

Pro Bono Manager

Tia Haggar Farmworkers Unit Managing Attorney

Some of FRLS’ Partners & Funders:

FRLS 2024 Annual Report

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Florida Rural Legal Services

Board of Directors CHRYSTAL MARTIN THORNTON, ESQ.

TANIQUEA REID, ESQ.

President, C. Martin Law, P.A.

Vice-President, Taniquea C. Reid, P.A.

TINA TALARCHYK, ESQ.

PADRICK PINKNEY, ESQ.

Secretary

Treasurer

MARK BARNES, CPA

ANTONY RYAN, ESQ.

Director CPA

Director

ANGELINA RYAN

HON. KIMBERLY BONNER

Director

Director

THERESA KITE

SYBIL CHRISTIAN

Director

Director

TRACY HARRELL

BENJAMIN MORDES, ESQ.

Director

Director

CASANDRA HOLSEY

MICHAEL JOSEPH

Director

Director AMY MCCAFFREY

Board Administrator

FRLS Board of Directors Retreat FRLS 2024 Annual Report

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Florida Rural Legal Services

FRLS Fort Myers Interns

Putting Clients at the Center for 58 Years At the core of FRLS’s work is a client-centered approach, ensuring that every individual is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.

For nearly six decades, Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) has remained steadfast in its mission to empower, uplift, and advocate for those who need it most. Since its founding in 1966, FRLS has dedicated itself to providing education and outreach programs to equip clients with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate legal and life challenges.

Contact Us

1-888-582-3410 Visit Our Website

FRLS.org