Akerman LLP, a leading law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced that Karen Meyer Buesing, a partner with the firm's Labor and Employment Practice Group in Tampa, has been selected as the recipient of the 2014 Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award, Florida's highest pro bono service award, to be presented by the Honorable Ricky Polston, Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.
The award, which commemorates Miami civil rights lawyer Tobias Simon, recognizes extraordinary contributions made by Florida lawyers in making legal services available to those who otherwise could not afford them. Buesing was selected for the award by a Supreme Court committee after its review of nominations from across Florida's 20 Judicial Circuits.
"We congratulate Karen on this exceptional and well-deserved honor," said Andrew Smulian, Akerman Chairman and CEO. "Karen's dedication to pro bono service is a source of great pride at Akerman. Her long-standing service and her efforts on behalf of the disadvantaged have left an indelible mark on the community."
Buesing will be honored at the annual Pro Bono Service Awards ceremony on January 30 at the Florida Supreme Court building in Tallahassee. She also will be presented with The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award, which is given to an outstanding lawyer residing in each of the state's Judicial Circuits. Nominated by the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers (HAWL), Buesing was selected as the award recipient for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
Described by The Florida Bar as an outstanding example of pro bono service in the legal field, Buesing has donated countless hours towards a number of organizations in the Tampa Bay area. For more than 25 years, Buesing has chaired a selection committee for the Board of Directors of Bay Area Legal Services, helping to make Bay Area one of the model Legal Services Corporations in the United States. In addition, Buesing has been dedicated to supporting programs that assist homeless youth. She serves on the Advisory Council for the Lazydays Homeless Youth Program, where she actively works to secure legislation benefitting homeless youth, including laws passed during the 2013 legislative session that enable certain liberties to youth without a parent or guardian. She also helped organize Hillsborough County's first Homeless Youth Forum where Governor Rick Scott signed the new legislation into law. With personal passion for the cause, over the past seven years, she and her husband have taken in six youths who lacked stable homes.
Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by The Florida Bar, Buesing has represented management in employment law matters for more than 30 years. She represents small and large businesses in litigation and administrative proceedings, as well as in all aspects of employment counseling and training. Buesing is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and has been recognized by Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America as one of the leading lawyers in her field.
About Akerman LLP
Akerman LLP is a leading transactions and trial law firm known for its core strengths in middle market M&A, within the financial services and real estate industries, and for a diverse Latin America practice. With more than 550 lawyers and government affairs professionals and a network of 19 offices, it is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The National Law Journal NLJ 350 (2013). Akerman also is ranked among the top 100 law firms for diversity by MultiCultural Law magazine (2012) and recognized as the Law Firm of the Year for Diversity – South by Benchmark Litigation (2012). More information can be found at akerman.com or twitter.com/akerman_law.