Miami-Dade
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle has been selected to receive the John
Edward Smith Award by the
benevolent organization Lawyers for Children America in
recognition of her advocacy on behalf of vulnerable children including those
who have been victims of Human Trafficking.
Lawyers
for Children America (LFCA) is a leading non-profit child advocacy organization
protecting the rights of children who are victims of abuse, abandonment and
neglect, by providing quality pro bono legal representation and collaborating
for systematic change to improve the lives of children.
“My
desire to help make this community better is my motivator to serve as Dade’s
State Attorney”, commented State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “Finding
ways to improve our community and make it a safer place to live and raise our
families has been one of the challenges I have readily accepted. I am truly
honored to have been chosen by such a group of true humanitarians to receive
this recognition.”
In June 1995, at a ceremony hosted by then Attorney
General Janet Reno in the Great Hall of the Department of Justice, LFCA was
launched as a national initiative. Since 2002, LFCA has leveraged over $3
million in pro bono legal time and in-kind contributions through its network of
law firms, volunteers and participating organizations. Since its inception, the
organization has provided pro bono advocacy services to over 1,300 children.
Each
year, LFCA honors individual lawyers and law firms for their commitment and
dedication to the organization.
Lawyers
for Children America will present the John Edward Smith Award to State
Attorney Fernandez Rundle during the organization’s annual awards luncheon which
will be held on Friday, December 5, 2014 at Noon, at the InterContinental Hotel
in downtown Miami.