AWARDS
The Public Interest Law Section honors lawyers and nonlawyers for their contributions and dedication to underserved communities.
The Allan H. Terl Civil Rights Award
This award is presented in tribute to the late Allan H. Terl, recipient of the ACLU's Nelson Poynter Award, Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Award for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, and Florida Chief Justice's Tobias Simon Award for his work on lesbian and gay rights. It recognizes excellence in advocacy on behalf of individual rights and responsibilities.
Recipients:
2026: Paul R. Chavez
2022: Alana Greer
2006: Karen M. Doering
2000: Hon. Joseph Hatchett
The Jane Shaeffer Outstanding Homeless Advocate Award
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in advocacy for homeless persons, by an individual who has meaningfully improved conditions or treatment of homeless person, through litigation, policy advocacy, direct service or otherwise, either in specific locale or throughout the State of Florida. The award is open to both members of the Florida Bar and to non-members.
This award was established to honor the memory of distinguished attorney and advocate Jane Hunter Shaeffer, who died in September 2009. Ms. Shaeffer was the founder and former Chair of the Public Interest Law Section's Committee on Homelessness and was a long-time advocate for homeless persons. Ms. Shaeffer was a driving force in the founding and continued success of Tallahassee's main homeless shelter (The Shelter), established in 1989, and also served as the first statewide director of Florida's Guardian ad Litem Program, in addition to her many other accomplishments.
Recipients
2026: Jackie Azis
2022: Kirsten Anderson
2014: Jacqueline Dowd
2012: Bob Dillinger
2010: Jane Shaeffer (posthumous)
The Hon. Hugh S. Glickstein Child Advocate of the Year Award
With recipients selected on a statewide basis, this award is given to a stellar child advocate who works tirelessly for children's rights. The award is open for both Florida Bar members and non-members.
Recipients
2025: Walter Honaman
2023: Christina Spudeas
2017: Bernard Perlmutter
2015: Robin Rosenberg
2010: Tracey McPharlin
2008: Miami-Dade County Public Defender's Office
2005: Justice Barbara Pariente
2004: Miles McGrane
2002: The Florida Bar Commission on the Legal Needs of Children
2001: Alan. I. Mishael
1999: Rhea Chiles
1998: Judge Thomas K. Peterson
1995: Deborah Schroth
1994: Ronald C. Glickman
1993: George Russ
1992: Constance Gross
1991: Kathy Chinoy
1990: Jack Levine
1989: Audrey Schiebler
1989: Nancy Palmer
The John J. Copelan, Jr. Public Interest Award
This award is presented to a member of the Florida Bar who has made significant contributions to the public interest and specifically the field of public interest law.
Recipients
2025: Jorge Acosta Palmer
2023: Scott Manion
2018: Anthony C. Musto
2017: Peter Sleasman
2016: John J. Copelan, Jr.