Community Service

5th Annual OCBA 5K Run & Walk

Fisher Rushmer attorneys and staff participated in the 5^th Annual Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) Law Day 5K Run & Walk. The event allowed participants to run or walk around beautiful Lake Baldwin Park. All proceeds raised from the 5K event benefited the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. and the Orange County Bar Association Foundation, Inc.

he Orange County Bar Association Foundation focuses on community education. The Foundation helps citizens gain a better understanding of the judicial system by teaching citizens about the consequences of one's actions and how the judicial system works, along with supporting local schools and mentoring.

The Legal Aid Society provides quality legal services to low-income residents, children, the working poor, and disadvantaged groups with special legal needs in Orange County, Florida and neighboring counties. This program is supported through the combined efforts of staff and pro bono attorneys.

Libby's Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation

Fisher Rushmer, P.A. contributes to OCBA Young Lawyers Section’s charitable drive for Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation. Libby’s provides comprehensive breast health care and treatment to the underserved in our Central Florida community. To learn more visit http://libbyslegacy.org/.  

Lockhart Elementary Christmas Holiday Gifts

For 26 years, the firm has “sponsored” anywhere from 6 – 16 kids during the Christmas holiday. The attorneys and staff at Fisher Rushmer, P.A. donate money, their time shopping, wrapping, and delivering gifts and clothes in order for these children to have a wonderful Christmas.

Orange County Bar Legal Aid Society

The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association is an organization of attorneys who take on cases of low-income individuals or individuals with special legal needs, for little or no cost.

In 2016, Fisher Rushmer attorneys and staff contributed over 300 hours pro bono, through the Legal Aid Society. 

Many Fisher Rushmer, P.A. attorneys volunteer their time as a Guardian ad Litem, which is part of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association.

• What is a guardian ad litem? 
  

  A guardian ad litem (“GAL”) is a responsible caring adult volunteer, appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interest of a child suspected to be a victim of parental abuse, neglect or abandonment.
  
  

• What does a GAL do?
  

  A GAL establishes an ongoing relationship with a child (or group of siblings) and conducts a thorough investigation to determine what recommendations to make on the child's behalf in court.
  
  The GAL helps advocate for medical, mental health, educational or economic services needed to bring stability and wholeness to the child’s life, and acts as a monitor to see if court orders are carried out in a timely fashion.
  
  GAL's become a "thread of continuity" in the lives of children faced with a bewildering, impersonal and the too often drawn-out judicial process. GAL's provide an important impartial voice to ensure that the child’s best interests are constantly before the court and the agencies entrusted to make decisions about their welfare.
  
  

Legal Aid Awards – Judge J.C. “Jake” Stone Distinguished Service Award

Every year since 1987 the Judge J. C. “Jake” Stone Distinguished Service Award is presented to a member of the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association in recognition of their pro bono work. The award, named after Judge Stone, a county judge from Orange County who was active in community service, is the highest award given by the Legal Aid Association.

Two Fisher Rushmer, P.A. Attorneys have won this award:

• Chris Ballentine, 2003 Recipient
• Joseph L. Amos, Jr., 2012 Recipient

*[Portions above reprinted with permission of the Legal Aid Association]

Orange County Meals on Wheels – Seniors First

Seniors First is the Meals on Wheels agency for Orange County Florida. Each week over 500 seniors who cannot leave their homes or have a difficult time preparing meals are delivered healthy meals. 4,190 meals are delivered to Orange County seniors each week.

For over 15 years Fisher Rushmer, P.A. attorneys and staff donate their time every Thursday to deliver meals, share a friendly conversation, and to check on the safety of these home bound seniors.