Community Involvement/Pro Bono

Members of the firm participate in many community and service activities, including organizations designed for the protection of the interests and needs of the public, particularly the most vulnerable members of our society: children and the elderly. Members of the firm have served as elected and appointed government officials, and as directors and officers of a variety of civic, religious, cultural and charitable organizations such as Broward County Area Agency on Aging, Broward County Jewish Family Services, Florida’s Children First, the Youth Law Center, Broward Days Steering Committee, Broward Days Children's Issues Team, Presidents' Fest, B’nai Brith, Villa Maria Convalescent Home and Visions for Victory, and Florida’s Voice for the Mentally Retarded.

Florida’s Children First

Although it takes a village to raise a child, especially an at-risk child, all the good intentions in the world can be ineffective unless they are supported by the necessary resources. One of our partners, Howard Talenfeld, became the founding President of Florida’s Children First, and our firm was instrumental in the passage of landmark legislation in Florida including the Foster Children Bill of Rights, Florida’s pilot project on representation of foster children in Dependency Court, and Florida’s landmark interagency education bill for foster children. In addition, Florida’s Children First helps children by providing:

  • Education Advocacy – Securing children’s rights to an adequate education
  • Independent Living Support – Assuring that foster care children receive the necessary skills and support to live on their own
  • Mental Health Monitoring and Assistance – Monitoring the care provided for children in state custody while advocating for better care and services
  • Representation – Developing a network of advocates trained to provide quality representation for children in delinquency, dependency, mental health, immigration and educational proceedings.

Presidents' Fest

Established in 1993 by a small group of Weston, Fla., residents who wanted to develop a family-oriented community celebration, Presidents’ Fest has now grown into one of the most anticipated events in Broward County. The law firm recognized the need for an event that would be open to all children including those who could not afford admission, and became a founding sponsor of the worthwhile event. Partner Joel Fass is chairman of President’s Fest.

President’s Fest features carnival rides, fireworks, games, food and a variety of attractions and entertainment and is attended by thousands of parents and children. For 13 consecutive years, all Broward County foster children and their foster parents have been invited to attend President’s Fest free of charge.

For sponsorship information, click here.

CyberSafety

Florida Attorney General to visit Broward Oct. 11 for Local CyberCrime Prevention Program Awareness Effort

After a statewide launch in Tampa on Sept. 5, 2007 for a new Florida CyberSafety education school curriculum, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum will visit Broward County on Oct. 11 to encourage middle and high school registration for the program.

Facilitated through the collaborative efforts of law firm Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate and Florida’s Children First, founded by Firm partner Howard Talenfeld, along with Comcast and Broward County Public Schools, General McCollum’s Broward outreach will be augmented by the strengths of existing local and national resources gathered to support the program in advance of his visit.

A program of speakers will follow the Attorney General’s Oct. 11 appearance, which will include Broward County Schools and Comcast's presentation of their respective cyber-prevention programs before an invited audience of parents and child resource leaders.

The Oct. 11 event begins with a sponsor-only breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the City of Miramar City Hall/Miramar Town Center.

For more information click here.

Sponsored by: