Opening Statement From

CCLA's Executive Director

Dear Friends:

Our community is growing at an exponential pace. Each month buildings rise, businesses grow, and the arts expand. In the shadow of our beautiful skyline are over 360,000 of our neighbors, living in poverty. They struggle to move forward amid the rise in inflation, soaring food and medical costs, and the affordable housing crisis. Often, they encounter legal barriers to providing the basic necessities for themselves and their families in addition to navigating our complex legal system. While we may think of equal access to justice as an intellectual concept, for too many in our community, access to justice means access to housing, healthcare, and the safety and security of a home free from violence. Without legal assistance, even minor problems can escalate and create insurmountable barriers to financial stability, driving families further into poverty.

Each day, attorneys at Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida provide the most effective and efficient free civil legal aid assistance available to low-income residents in Broward County. Every family we assist is in a stronger position to access opportunities and achieve security and safety.

It is crucial that we recognize the importance of civil legal aid in closing the justice gap and support efforts to expand access to these vital services. By doing so, we together, can create, a more just and equitable Broward County.

Thank you for your continued support of our efforts.

With appreciation,

CCLA In Washington D.C.

On April 8, 2024, Lisa Goldberg, Executive Director of Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida (CCLA), met with Florida legislative staff in Washington D.C. during the 50th Anniversary of Legal Services Corporation (LSC). Ms. Goldberg and legislative staff discussed the importance of access to justice for low income constituents grappling with issues like fair housing, domestic violence, and human trafficking. CCLA leadership and attorneys from every corner of the nation joined together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of LSC supporting civil legal aid across the United States.

“As Broward County tackles the challenges of rising inflation, soaring costs of living and an affordable housing crisis, the importance of civil legal aid cannot be overstated. Legal advocacy serves as a lifeline for individuals in our community struggling to secure housing, healthcare, and income, while protecting the rights of women seeking refuge from domestic violence and human trafficking. Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida serves to close the justice gap for individuals who cannot afford legal counsel for legal issues that threaten their safety and well-being.”

-Lisa Goldberg, Executive Director

Read Full Article Here

CCLA awarded SunSentinel

Top Workplace 2024

for the seventh time!

Conferences & Trainings

CCLA recognizes the significance of our staff being experts in their field and the importance of CCLA being at the forefront of issues that affect our clients and community.

The 2024 Florida Disaster Collaboration Conference, a mutual effort on the part of Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funded legal aid organizations, brought together legal aid organizations and disaster agencies in our surrounding FEMA region to discuss how to prepare for, and how to assist following, a disaster. LSC legal aids work together all year to prepare for disasters and provide assistance to those most impacted through a LSC grant. Each provider shared their expertise and relevant, practical, learned strategies to help those in need impacted by a disaster.

CCLA's very own attorneys presented at the regional conference. Jeffrey Hittleman, Supervising Attorney of our Senior Law Unit, presented about tenants' rights and landlords' obligations at the time of a disaster. In an extremely engaging talk, Jeff conveyed his expertise on pinpointing tenant protections within Florida's law, specifically when faced with a disaster. Geraldine DeBianchi, our Senior Unit's Mobile Justice Squad attorney, spoke on the Rapid Fire Panel about ideas, technology, and innovations and moderated the Disasters and Disability panel. CCLA's Director of Operations, Katianna Mazard, moderated the United Policyholders session.

Recently, CCLA attended the ABA and NLADA's Equal Justice Conference in Detroit, Michigan. This annual gathering of legal services and pro bono advocates is an opportunity for us to share and learn about developments and innovations in providing legal services to low-income persons. Additionally, CCLA Family Law & Victims of Crime Unit attorneys attended the Broward County Bar Association's Family Law Section's Raising the Bar, the Florida Bar & Office of the State Court Administrator's Trauma Informed Courts Workshop, and the Broward Victim's Rights Coalition's Annual Training about culturally responsive services for victims of crime. We also listened to Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente speak about the value of legal aid organizations and pro bono work at the Justice Unit Installation.

We enjoy being a part of this community and look forward to engaging with more community members and providers as the year continues. If you would like CCLA to attend an event, conduct an outreach, or you have a topic you'd like us to address in an episode of Legal Learning on CCLA's Facebook page and YouTube channel, please contact us at: CCLAInfo@legalaid.org.

Check out our Community Outreach page.

Community Outreach