Legal Aid in the News

DLA Director Karen Ladis celebrates 33 years at Dade Legal Aid

In 1991, Ms. Ladis joined the nonprofit public interest law firm as coordinator of the Put Something Back Pro Bono Project. As coordinator, Ladis conducted extensive outreach to assist low-income clients in need of civil legal assistance at branch courthouses located throughout the county.  Those that were income-eligible and in need of further representation were expeditiously assigned to pro bono attorneys.  Due to its innovative recruitment, training and mentorship efforts, Put Something Back became the official pro bono arm of the circuit garnering local and national recognition by the courts and bar. After serving on the ABA and Florida Bar Pro Bono Committees and in numerous leadership roles for 23 years, Ladis became the executive director of Dade Legal Aid in 2014. Admitted to the bar in 1990, she has since served on numerous committees including the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Attorneys Division, the University of Miami Law Alumni Association, and the Dade County Bar Association, ex officio. She is actively involved in a variety of local voluntary bars and currently serves as a co-chair of the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers Pro Bono Committee. In 1998, she received The Florida Bar YLD Pro Bono Public Service Award, in 2006, she received the DCBA inaugural Robert L. Shevin Public Service Award, and in 2012, she received the inaugural Eleventh Judicial Circuit Family Division Above & Beyond Award, and was awarded it again in 2015 for her service to the bench, bar and community. In 2019, she received the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program’s Outstanding GAL Award for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.  According to Ladis, it is a privilege and honor to work with dozens of dedicated colleagues who are truly tireless heroes helping those in need of civil legal assistance with nowhere else to turn for help.


DLA Welcomes Class VIII of it's Leadership Academy

On September 12, 2024, Dade Legal Aid welcomed Class VIII of its Leadership Academy.   "The distinguished class of fellows will partake in a year-long program designed to further innovative leadership skills, interpersonal relationships, and a deeper understanding of issues facing marginalized members of the community," said Karen Ladis, Director. Class VIII fellows will connect with renowned South Florida attorneys, the judiciary, and others dedicated to Dade Legal Aid’s mission of serving those in need.   Read more on the Florida Bar website...

Dade Legal Aid Class VIII Fellows include:

Antonio Bayuelo Esq., Quintairos, Priero, Wood & Boyer, PA
Jordan Benatar Esq., Rumberger Kirk
Stephanie Cruz, Esq., The Law Offices of Stephanie A. Cruz, PA
Richard Cruz Blanco, Esq., Cruz Legal Firm, PLLC
Reunie Faustin, Esq., Americans for Immigrant Justice
Aimee Garces, Esq., Davis & Associates, Attorneys at Law
Nadine Gedeon, Esq., Gedeon & Morales Law Group, PLLC
Thomas Graham, Esq., Mausner Graham Injury Law PLLC
Karenin Hache, Esq., The Hache Law Firm, PA
Andres Hidalgo, Esq., Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, PA
Jae Huckaba, Esq., Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Judelande Jeune, Esq., Weiss Serota, Helfman, Cole & Bierman, PL
Christian Kohlsaat, Esq., Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
Elisabeth Magloire, Esq.,  Magloire Law Firm PLLC
Spencer Mayer, Esq., Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP
Scott Merl, Esq., Scott Merl PA
Leticia Mora, Esq., Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP
Meagan Nicholson, Esq., Greenspoon Marder LLP
Emma Refuveille, Esq., Shutts & Bowen LLP
Sydney Smith, Esq., Jeffrey Law, PA
Emmanuella Telfort, Esq., Catholic Charities Legal Services, and
Tanisha Wright, Esq., Bast Amron.