Legal Aid Service of Broward County Names Hinshaw Law Firm of the Year and Honors Jenelle E. La Chuisa with 2024 Russell E. Carlisle Advocacy Award

The law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is pleased to announce that the Legal Aid Service of Broward County has selected the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office as its 2024 Law Firm of the Year. Additionally, Fort Lauderdale litigation partner Jenelle E. La Chuisa was named the recipient of the 2024 Russell E. Carlisle Advocacy Award.

"We appreciate Broward Legal Aid for recognizing our team of dedicated Fort Lauderdale attorneys and their record of pro bono service," said Andrew Gordon, partner-in-charge of Hinshaw's Fort Lauderdale office. "We also commend partner Jenelle La Chuisa for her individual efforts in leading and inspiring our team. We are very proud of her work and the difference she continues to make in the local community.”

La Chuisa is a litigator and arbitrator representing individuals and companies in international and domestic business and insurance coverage disputes arising out of property, casualty, professional liability, aviation, marine, and builders’ risk policies. She provides her clients with practical legal solutions for their complex legal problems.

La Chuisa also co-chairs Hinshaw's Pro Bono and Community Involvement Committee in Fort Lauderdale, where she facilitates volunteer opportunities for pro bono projects and community events along with committee co-chair and partner John Weedon. Thirteen Hinshaw attorneys have contributed more than 100 hours to various pro bono activities and nonprofit organizations.

The effort includes volunteering for the Broward Lawyers Care Legal Aid Hotline and answering questions about Family Law, Consumer Law, Real Property Law, Bankruptcy, Housing, and Tax/IRS controversies. Further, Hinshaw attorneys also donated time assisting felons in restoring their right to vote through the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, which is committed to ending the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions.

Hinshaw attorneys assisting the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition include Andrew Gordon, Jenelle La Chuisa, Morgan Spector, and Jordyn Quinn. Hinshaw attorneys who volunteered for the Broward Lawyers Care Legal Aid Hotline included Thomas Campbell, Stephanie Carlton, Matthew Chamoff, Ralph Confreda, Kelly Canfield Demmery, Andrew Gordon, Jenelle La Chuisa, Viviana Loshak, Ahmad Mango, Patrick J. Pumphrey, Morgan Spector, Lauren Swanson, and Jordyn Quinn.

"Broward Legal Aid is proud to honor Hinshaw and Culbertson LLP as Law Firm of the Year and Jenelle La Chuisa, a partner in the firm, with The Russell E. Carlisle Advocacy Award, said Jeff Ahern, Director of Development at Legal Aid Service of Broward. “The Hinshaw law firm and Ms. La Chuisa are dedicated champions for those in need and they richly deserve these awards.”

Legal Aid Service of Broward County provides free civil legal services to low-income and otherwise eligible residents of Broward County. The Law Firm of the Year Award is presented annually to a firm that has shown its overall commitment to the work that Legal Aid Service of Broward County does and the clients it serves.

The Russell E. Carlisle Advocacy Award is given annually to an advocate whose actions exemplify a personal and professional commitment to making justice available to the poor and disadvantaged. The Award was named after its first (1998) recipient, Mr. Carlisle himself, a lifelong champion of the rights of the poor and disadvantaged and the first chairperson of the Legal Aid Service Board of Directors. For additional information, see https://www.browardlegalaid.org/.

Hinshaw and La Chuisa will be honored during the 2024 Annual Recognition Awards at the annual For the Public Good dinner event hosted by Broward Legal Aid on Thursday, October 17, 2024. The Recognition Awards are presented to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to organizations, the community, and clients served in Broward County.

Watch the Award Acceptance Videos:

• Hinshaw Accepts Ft. Lauderdale 2024 Law Firm of the Year Award
• Jenelle E. La Chuisa Accepts 2024 Russell E. Carlisle Advocacy Award

Media Coverage

• "Legal Aid Service of Broward County Names Hinshaw & Culbertson its Law Firm of the Year and Honors Jenelle E. La Chuisa With Russell E. Carlisle Advocacy Award" was published by The Florida Bar on September 18, 2024.