< PreviousEvent Spotlight 20TH ANNUAL ROBERT J. BECKHAM EQUAL JUSTICE AWARDS CELEBRATION T his year’s recipient recently retired Judge Hugh Carithers who served as admin- istrative judge of the Family Division of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, having previously served all of the court’s other divisions and as an associate judge on the First District Court of Appeals. As chair of the Fourth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, Judge Carithers welcomed all attorneys to pro bono service as a visible and involved leader, participating frequently in events recognizing them for their volunteerism together with JALA, the Jacksonville Bar As- sociation, the Fourth Circuit Pro Bono Com- mittee and other organizations. With Judge Carithers’ leadership, the Fourth Circuit Pro Bono Committee has become one of the model committees for Florida. The Equal Justice Awards celebrates phi- lanthropy and volunteerism within the legal community. This year marks the 20th anniver- sary since 1999. All proceeds from this event support the provision of free legal aid to the community’s most vulnerable populations and allow Jacksonville Area Legal Aid to react quickly to the changing needs of those seeking assistance. KEYNOTE SPEAKER MAURICE P. DURING PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY O ffice of Population Research, Program in Law and Public Affairs Matthew Desmond is the Maurice P. During Professor at Princeton University. His research focuses primarily on poverty in America, city life, housing insecurity, public policy, racial in- equality, and ethnography. In 2015, Desmond was awarded his MacArthur Genius Grant for “revealing the impact of eviction on the lives of the urban poor and its role in perpetuating racial and economic inequality.” In 2018, he re- ceived the Stowe Prize for Writing to Advance Social Justice, awarded by the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center to authors whose work shines a light on critical social issues. CRYSTAL FREED, THE HONORABLE HUGH A. CARITHERS, MIKE FREED, MELISSA NELSON, KATY DEBIERE AND MICHAEL PAJCIC HONORABLE HUGH A. CARITHERS, MATTHEW DESMOND AND JIM KOWALSKI ROBERT SPOHRER, JESSICA JOWERS, BUDDY SCHULTZ AND S .THOMPSON TYGART JR. ERIC RAGATZ, THOMAS EDWARDS, LOGAN MCEWEEN AND REBECCA CREED 30 ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · FIRST COAST · VOL. 4 NO. 5KATHY PARA OUTSTANDING PRO BONO SERVICE AWARDS Individual Recipients: Brandon D. Beardsley Thomas Albert Delegal III “Tad” Robert Henry Ellis Anne Marie Gennusa Jeffrey Graham Haynie Logan Kyle McEwen James Clifton Poindexter Richard L Stockton Angela Michelle Viltro Companies: Nelson Mullins and TIAA Bank KATHY PARA, MISSY DAVENPORT AND THE HONORABLE VIRGINIA BAKER NORTON MATTHEW KACHERGUS, CHARLIE COFER, EDWARD FOSTER AND KIM BOUCHARD-CHAIMOWIZ REID HART, BELKIS PLATA, SHANNON SCHOTT AND SCOTT SHEFTALL NIKEET PAL, JACKI HORN, MICHELLE BROYLES, CECILIA MUNOZ AND RENU HEDA JAMES POINDEXTER, ROB ELLIS, SCOTT SHEFTALL AND MISSY DAVENPORT RICHARD L. STOCKTON, TERI SOPP, BILL SHEPPARD, ELIZABETH WHITE AND ANNE MARIE GENNUSA 31 AttorneyAtLawMagazine.comCOKERLAW.COM | 904.356.6071 At Coker Law, we’ve dedicated our lives to yours. We know you have a choice when it comes to referrals, which is why we dedicate all our resources, experience and drive to ensuring your and your client’s case is ready for trial. You never have to go it alone. We are proud to stand together as co-counsel in the courtroom. Your faith. Our fight. Thank you for trusting Coker Law. OFFICES-JACKSONVILLE It’s your choice; We value it.Next >