Brevard County Legal Aid Pro Bono Awards
Brevard County Legal Aid recently hosted their Annual Pro Bono Awards and Recognition Gala at the Suntree Country Club in Melbourne. First District Court of Appeal Judge William A. Van Nortwick was the evening’s special guest speaker. The Annual Gala, strongly supported by National City Bank and the Brevard Bar Foundation, recognized attorneys who have gone above and beyond to help the poor in Brevard. Attorney Scott Krasny was deservedly named Attorney of the Year. BCLA’s Recognition Gala is considered one of the most important events in Brevard’s Legal Circle.
“We were delighted that The Honorable William A. Van Nortwick, Jr. accepted our invitation to speak at the event and was able to present the Pro Bono Awards.” Said Rob Johnson, BCLA Executive Director. Judge Van Nortwick was quick to notice the close relationship between the Brevard County Bar and the Bench. He spoke of the importance of Pro Bono work, and attorney taking on cases. Judge Van Nortwick complemented the work done by BCLA, and noted that he was impressed by those receiving awards and the media coverage of the Gala.
A First District Court of Appeal Judge since 1994, Judge Van Nortwick’s distinguished career is highlighted by a host of pro bono achievements and notable awards, most recently the Florida Supreme Court’s Distinguished Judicial Service Award. A strong leader in supporting the provision of pro bono legal services, Judge Van Nortwick was instrumental as chair of the Bar’s statewide symposium on equal access to justice, in securing the first state funding for civil legal services to the poor. He continues to serve as an active member of The Florida Bar Standing Committee on Pro Bono Service.
Scott Krasny, Attorney of the Year, is an attorney practicing in the areas of wills, trusts, estate planning, estate and trust administration, taxation and real property transactions. He holds a Juris Doctor Degreee from the University of Florida where he graduated with honors. Scott’s commitment to his community and in particular to Pro Bono sercices, is longstanding and impressive. Congratulations Scott!
Major Sponsors of the evening were: National City Bank and the Brevard County Bar Foundation. Other sponsors included: Childress & Charpentier, PA; Nance Cacciatore; Platt, Jacobus, Fielding & Ville; Vance, Lotane & Bookhardt; Frank Pound; Gray Robinson; Kenneth F. Tworoger; Moletteire & Torpy; Koons & Gigliotti;
Caruso & Swerbilow; J. W. Edens; Dean Mead; Rhonda L. Hinds; Onek & Mawn; David L. Wildaman; Gretchen Klayman; William Johnson.
Scott Krasny, Attorney of the Year & The Honorable William A. Van Nortwick, Jr.
More about Scott D. Krasny:
Scott Krasny is an attorney practicing in the areas of wills, trusts, estate planning, estate and trust administration, taxation, and real property transactions. He also handles probate, trust and guardianship litigation. He holds a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Florida, where he graduated with honors. While attending law school, he was awarded the I. C. Spoto Memorial Scholarship. He also holds a Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Accounting from the University of Florida. Before attending law school, Scott was an accountant with KPMG Peat Marwick in Vero Beach, Florida.
Scott’s commitment to his community and, in particular to Pro Bono service, is longstanding and impressive. As president of the Brevard County Bar Association in 2002, Scott was responsible for initiating numerous innovative projects aimed at mobilizing the unique skills attorneys offer to provide assistance to those in need. Normally, outgoing presidents are ready for a break. Not Scott. Upon stepping down as Bar President, Scott immediately spearheaded an effort to create a new non-profit organization that was critically needed. That organization, the Brevard Bar Foundation, is strongly committed to promoting access to legal services and improving public understanding of the legal system. The Foundation’s generous contributions have greatly increased BCLA’s ability to meet the legal needs of the poor.
Scott’s commitment is also demonstrated by his ongoing representation of individual clients through BCLA’s Pro Bono Program. He has provided assistance to countless individuals in need of help with probate, consumer and housing issues. But perhaps his most impressive contribution was in making Legal Aid’s recent purchase and relocation to a new office possible. Beginning with the sales contract and ending with the closing, Scott served as BCLA’s attorney in a difficult and complicated process ultimately donating over $20,000 in legal services.
Scott’s commitment to helping the poor and disadvantaged is truly a shining example of professionalism in our community. In appreciation of his selfless dedication to the needs of Brevard’s poor, we are proud to recognize Scott D. Krasny as Legal Aid’s “Pro Bono Attorney of the Year.”