Michaela Fights to Pursue her Wellbeing Background Michaela was going through the most difficult challenge of her life – she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. However, that was not the only challenge in her life. Michaela’s husband, Rick, had been arrested for battery and domestic violence against her during their brief two-year marriage. On...Read More
Wanda is Left with a Broken Finger and Emotionally Fragile Background Although their relationship was brief, Wanda endured a physically abusive relationship with Jim throughout. During one incident, Jim threw a fork at Wanda with such force that it became lodged in her hand which resulted in a broken finger and stitches. This incident not...Read More
Pro Bono Attorney Spotlight: Patrick B. Giunta, Esq. Patrick B. Giunta, Esq., is the founder of Patrick Giunta, P.A., where he handles real estate, estate planning, probate, and construction law. Patrick, a member of the Broward Lawyers Care Pro Bono Panel, has volunteered over 155 pro bono hours, demonstrating his generosity and willingness to serve...Read More
Lisa G. Goldberg, Esq. Appointed Interim Executive Director for CCLA Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida announced today that Lisa G. Goldberg, Esq. will serve as the nonprofit’s Interim Executive Director. “I am honored to have been chosen by our Board of Directors to lead our staff,” said Lisa G. Goldberg, Esq., Interim...Read More
Story of Justice: Ms. Zuluaga Appeals to the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission Background In the summer of 2020, Ms. Zuluaga* lost her job and proceeded to file for unemployment. After receiving several months of unemployment checks, the Department of Employment Opportunity (DEO) notified Ms. Zuluaga that thousands of dollars in unemployment benefits had to be...Read More
Story of Justice: Amanda Can’t Reach the DEO Background Amanda* was an independent contractor dog groomer. She lost her work in March when Covid resulted in the closings of the dog grooming business she was working for. She tried to apply for unemployment benefits under the CARES ACT but she did not have a computer...Read More
Profile in Good: Shayna M. Finkelstein, Esq. Shayna M. Finkelstein has been a Staff Attorney for Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida (CCLA) since 2018. Shayna works with the Family Law, Victims of Crime Unit, representing victims of intimate partner violence. As of October of 2020, Shayna began representing CCLA’s senior population who find themselves...Read More
Story of Justice: Audrey Endures Verbal and Physical Abuse Background & Assistance The verbal and physical abuse had gone on for years. Audrey* was first represented by an attorney with CCLA’s Victim of Crimes Act Project (VOCA,) who successfully obtained a Final Judgment of Injunction for Protection against Domestic Violence against Sammy, the client’s husband...Read More
Pro Bono Attorney Spotlight: Vladymir J. Champagne, Esq. Vladymir J. Champagne, Esq. is a partner at the Law Offices of Champagne and Surin, P.A. where he handles immigration and family law cases. Vladymir has been a member of the Broward Lawyers Care Pro Bono Panel for over Ten years. During that time, he has volunteered over 100...Read More
Profile in Good: David W. Johnson Miami Law grad David W. Johnson has been selected for the Equal Justice Works (EJW) Fellowship at Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida (CCLA) with a focus on Elder Justice. The Elder Justice Program is a two-year EJW fellowship aimed at improving the national response to elder...Read More
