Current News
 |
GLS' Next EXecutive Team (NEXT) will work jointly with the agency’s administration to better spread the word in the community about Gulfcoast Legal Services. We are inviting young, energetic, and outgoing professionals who believe in the access to justice for all. If you enjoy networking with professionals, making new business contacts and friends, and helping out a great cause, this group is for you! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
|
GLS Board Member Receives 2010 FAWL Honors women lawyers from around the State. The FAWL 2010 Leader in the Law Award is given to members nominated by their chapters, who have made significant impact in their communities. The recognition is intended to promote women who have made meaningful contributions in their communities through their legal service or volunteer activities, and who are positive role models for Florida Association of Women Lawyers members. |
 |
Please click on the links below for recent articles:
Immigration officials warn people to avoid Haiti earthquake scam
Mediation for homeowners
Local Haitian relief efforts
2010 STEVEN M. GOLDSTEIN AWARD
| Gulfcoast Legal Services has been awarded one of three 2010 Steven M. Goldstein Awards for its work in Obtaining Justice for Homeowners Victimized by Foreclosure Rescue Scams. The current foreclosure crisis has given rise to various foreclosure rescue scams that deprive homeowners of their title and then their residence through unconscionable lease terms in a sale lease-back with option to purchase package. The project was created to enforce remedies that victims of rescue scams would not otherwise obtain and to deter future scams. GLS attorneys recognized for their continued work on this project are Elizabeth M. Boyle, Sarasota managing attorney, Joseph Broadus, St. Petersburg predatory lending attorney, and volunteer attorney James McDonald. We congratulate our housing staff, whose outstanding work has been recognized by the selection committee. The award is given every other year by The Florida Bar Foundation. this is the first time GLS has been selected. |
|
 Elizabeth M. Boyle, Sarasota Office Managing Attorney |
| Other awardees are winners Florida Equal Justice Center, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County and Florida Legal Services for their project A Challenge to the City of Lake Worth's Use of Selective Code Enforcement Against guatemalan Mayan Families, who placed first and will receive $25,000 plus a $3,000 training scholarship. First Runner-Up was Florida Legal Services for their project Migrant Farmworker Justice Project (minimum wage and employment law violation in the south Miami-Dade County bean industry). they will receive $10,000 plus a $1,000 training scholarship. GLS will receive $5,000 plus a $1,000 training scholarship. Formal awards will be presented to the winners at The Florida Bar Foundation Annual Dinner at the Boca Raton Resort and Club on June 24, 2010. | 
Joseph Broadus, St. Petersburg Office Predatory Lending Attorney
|
 Kenneth Wilson, Esq. Project Attorney |
AIMilitary LEGAL ADVOCACY at Gulfcoast Legal Services With more than 20,000 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan in Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota Counties, the AIMilitary (Afghanistan-Iraq Military) Legal Advocacy Project was developed to benefit the lives of those serving and those who have served in these conflicts, as well as their family members, who are in need of civil legal assistance. The project will provide legal advice, counsel, education and representation with regard to pre-deployment and post-deployment issues free of charge for those who qualify. Areas of legal service are: accessing Social Security benefits, housing issues -- including foreclosure, consumer matters, access to health care and mental health resources, employment rights and family and domestic violence matters. |
To refer a client or to make an appointment, please contact Attorney Kenneth V. Wilson at 941-366-1746, or toll free 1-800-780-1746. Gulfcoast Legal Services Afghanistan-Iraq Military (AIM) Legal Advocacy Project is made possible by funding from the Florida BRAIVE fund at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice. |
 |
GLS Responds to Haiti Earthquake Crisis
|
The Immigration Unit at GLS has responded to the Haitian crisis caused by the January earthquake, by starting a program to help Haitian immigrants with filing their Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which was authorized by an emergency ruling by the U.S. State Department. In addition to Peterson St. Philippe, Equal Justice Fellow already on staff, GLS has added Clair St. Jacques and Valdine Heck to assist with the project. All three are fluent in Creole and have extensive experience working with the Haitian community living in the Tampa Bay area. TPS allows Haitians living the United States to get work authorization on a temporary basis. This will enable those Haitians living here without other immigration status to help their family members back in Haiti.
|
|
Enrollment for TPS is open through July 20, 2010. Applicants may call 727-821-0726 or toll free 1-800-230-5920 for an appointment.
|
|
| The program is funded in part by an emergency fund grant of The Florida Bar Foundation.
|
|
GLS Affordable Housing Project Renewed |
 |
| Christine Allamanno, Esq. |
See Our 100 year old Volunteer Attorney on YouTube!
Public Service Announcement
www.youtube.com/watch
Barney Raps for Justice
www.youtube.com/watch
Newsletters
| Summer 2010 | Spring 2010 | Winter 2009 | Fall 2008 | Spring 2008 | Summer 2007 |