Is your Professional Image Recession-Proof?

Katy Goshtasbi

It takes only seven seconds for people to decide whether they want to work with you.

Mrs. Goshtasbi states in an article for the ABA that a successful legal image is not about appearance alone. "Appearance is certainly a big factor. However, a lawyer's overall image is the sum of his or her appearance, behavior and communication.

Behavior as a component of a successful legal image encompasses understanding your clients—their expectations and preferences—then tailoring your behavior to suit your clients. How you treat your colleagues and support staff is also important, as your behavior speaks to the image you seek to create.

Communication is vital too. As a component of a successful legal image, how you communicate matters. Your intonation, body language and word selection influences what people think of you. Specifically in terms of clients, your communication style can improve or damage client relationships. Good communication involves good listening skills as well as relating to clients as human beings, not business transactions. Remember important events and dates, and communicate with clients regularly"

The entire article can be found at: http://www.abanet.org/media/youraba/200906/article01.html

Graduate School

GRE® Program Offers Test Fee Reduction for People Who Are Unemployed

In an effort to expand graduate school opportunities in the current economy, the Graduate Record Examinations® (GRE®) program is offering a limited number of GRE fee reductions to individuals who are unemployed, Educational Testing Service (ETS) announced today.
The program will allow currently unemployed workers to register for the GRE General Test for $75. The regular registration cost is $150.

The GRE Fee Reduction Program for the Unemployed is intended to complement existing GRE test fee reduction programs in light of current economic conditions. The program specifically targets individuals who are currently out of work and receiving unemployment benefits. “Financial challenges often dissuade students from pursuing opportunities to advance their education,” says Maurice C. Taylor, Vice President for University Operations at Morgan State University. “As Chair of the GRE Board, I am pleased that ETS and its GRE program have decided in these very difficult economic times to expand the existing GRE fee reduction program to those who are unemployed.”

The GRE is often the first step in the pursuit of an advanced degree. And because a graduate education can be the key to greater career and financial opportunities, ETS Vice President and COO David G. Payne says the time was right to expand the program to those who are unemployed.

“We understand how tough it is out there right now,” explains Payne. “And if offering a GRE fee reduction to unemployed individuals helps them to take that step, we’re happy to do our part to try to make a difference.”

Eligibility Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien, age eighteen (18) or older, who is currently unemployed and has become unemployed within the past 6 months.
• You must be planning to take the computer-based GRE General Test in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam or U.S. Virgin Islands.
• You must be able to submit a copy of an Unemployment Benefits Statement from the past 90 days as proof of unemployment.

For more information about the program, visit ets.org/gre/unemploymentoffer.

Orange County Bar Association

Are you thinking of opening up your own practice?

July 28th 12-5pm Cost: $35

Location: OCBA Center, 880 N. Orange Ave. Orlando

Now that you have a couple of years of experience, you may be thinking of opening up your own law practice. If so, you should make sure to get as much information as possible in order to avoid costly mistakes.

The OCBA Solo & Small Firm Section Committee will host an exciting and informative seminar to help you be successful in starting your own practice. CLE: 5.0 (including 2.5 ethics)

This “must have” information can aid you in running an efficient and effective office. You will hear the latest information on:

1. Deciding on Type of Business Entity – Meenakshi A. Hirani, Meenakshi A. Hirani, Esq.

2. Tools for creating documents, organizing notebooks and locating people Thomas Sinclair, Westlaw
3. Creating an Effective and Professional Online Presence – Joe Rodriguez, Findlaw

4. Marketing Your Practice – Peggy Hoyt, Law Offices of Hoyt & Bryan, LLC

5. Annual Law Office Check-Up – Judith Equels, The Florida Bar’s Law Office Management

Wine & Cheese Reception to follow.

RSVP by July 26 to marieb@ocbanet.org. Seating is limited!

For more information visit: http://www.orangecountybar.org/MC30/event_view.asp?EID=168&ID=4&cTYPE=1&month=7&year=2009&cate=

Young Lawyers Division

How to Get Experience When You Can't Get Hired

By Tiffany Davison

You have just passed the bar exam. All you need now is your first job, but you have no job offers. What do you do now? How do you get experience? Do what many other attorneys have done: work for free. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

First, volunteer to work for an experienced attorney. Submit a copy of your résumé to a solo practitioner or small firm you know needs help, just as you would to a potential employer. Offer to do research, write routine motions, and file court documents. Suggest anything that might get your foot in the door and get you the experience you need.

Perhaps now you are thinking that this sounds great in theory, but in reality you cannot afford to work for free. But remember that you are building your career, so you need to be creative. Ask if the solo attorney or firm will pay for your transportation costs, even if only in part; if you can come up with enough money, you may be in business. Treat your work as a job, and always be conscientious because the person you work for may become a reference or may be willing to hire you permanently.

Next, seek out pro bono work. There are plenty of organizations looking for people to volunteer no matter what level of legal experience they have. Visit your local bar association Web site for ideas, and do your research first; some of these organizations may be willing to provide you with training and malpractice insurance. Not only will you be helping people and gaining legal experience, you likely will make valuable business contacts in the process.

Lastly, take advantage of every opportunity. Most of us have family members or friends that have legal questions. For some reason, nonlawyers sometimes assume that all lawyers are equipped to handle anything from traffic cases to felonies. While that is not true, do not be afraid to handle a relatively simple issue in any area of law. For example, consider taking a traffic case involving a speeding ticket or a driver without insurance. Take the legal experience when and where you can get it—as long as you are not in over your head. Each opportunity you pursue helps build your résumé and increases your chances of getting hired.

This article can be accessed at: http://www.abanet.org/yld/tyl/nov07/davison.html

Economic Recovery Resources

Exploring Alternate Careers for Lawyers
by Kathleen Brady

People tend to be motivated by what they like not by what makes sense. Yet, most people allow obligations and external forces to be the driving force behind their career choices. Think about this, if you tap into your passions you will energize your career development.

Step 1 Know what you Truly want

Step 2 Focus on your strengths, assets and talents, not your shortcomings

Step 3 Do not accept conventional wisdom unconditionally.

Step 4 Develop an action plan (Set Goals)

Step 5 Make course corrections

The article can be read at: http://www.abanet.org/lpm/lpt/articles/mgt10063.shtml

You can view more articles in the Career Transitioning section at: http://new.abanet.org/economicrecovery/careertransitioning.aspx

Tax Fellowship

ABA SECTION OF TAXATION PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIP

THE ABA SECTION OF TAXATION PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIP
ENHANCE YOUR LEGAL CAREER –
BECOME A PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOW!
WHAT IS THE PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIP?

WHAT IS THE PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIP?

The ABA Tax Section developed the Public Service Fellowship to help non-profits fill the need for tax legal service assistance around the country, and to foster an interest in tax-related public service for young lawyers. The Section awards up to two Public Service Fellowships each year to recent law school graduates or judicial clerks, to serve in tax-related public service positions for two years. Applicants secure employment with 501(c)(3) organizations, and the Section provides salary and benefit reimbursement directly to those organizations.

WHERE WILL YOU WORK?

The proposed employment must involve taxation or administration of tax law and must be with a public-interest, non-profit section 501(c)(3) organization (the “Sponsoring Organization”). Each Fellow commits to serve a two-year term with the Sponsoring Organization. The applicant must identify and secure a position with a Sponsoring Organization before applying for the Fellowship (although the position may be contingent upon award of the Fellowship).

Access and download the application http://www.abanet.org/tax/awards/publicservice/2009/2009psfapplication.pdf
For more details visit the Public Service Fellowship page at http://www.abanet.org/tax/awards/publicservice/

MOCK INTERVIEWS
June 24th (9am-1pm) & June 25th (1-4pm)

Attorneys are volunteering their time to do mock interviews here on campus! Each interview will last 30 minutes, with a 20 minute interview and 10 minute feedback from the attorney regarding your interviewing skills.

You should prepare for this interview as if you are actually interviewing with this firm, bring a resume and dress professionally.

It is vital to perfect your interviewing skills prior to a real interview.

Take advantage of this great opportunity!

If you are interested please contact the Center for Career Development at 352-273-0860 or careers@law.ufl.edu to set up your interview.

Need help writing grants?

The Alachua County Library will be presenting a training on how to use the Foundation Center Database.

Joanne Kepics, an expert from Atlanta office of the Foundation Center will present all the services they offer and answer questions.

When: July 1 10:00-11:30am.
Where: Alachua County Library

Student Debt Relief Webinars

Income-Based Repayment: A new way to lower your monthly federal student loan payments

Do you need more affordable student loan payments? Income-Based Repayment is a major new repayment option for federal student loans. Starting in July 2009, it can cap student loan payments based on your income and family size.

From this interactive webinar, you will learn and be able to ask questions about:

• How Income-Based Repayment works
• Who can choose Income-Based Repayment
• How to figure out whether Income-Based Repayment is right for you

Space is limited, so participants are required to register at:
Monday, June 22, 4 – 5 p.m. EDT (3 p.m. CDT, 1 p.m. PDT)https://equaljusticeevents.webex.com/equaljusticeevents/onstage/g.php?d=665000714&t=a

Thursday, June 25, 4 – 5 p.m. EDT (3 p.m. CDT, 1 p.m. PDT)https://equaljusticeevents.webex.com/equaljusticeevents/onstage/g.php?d=668818658&t=a
Presented by Edie Irons, Communications Director of the Project on Student Debt. Facilitated by Heather Jarvis.

Loan Forgiveness

LOAN FORGIVENESS RESOURCES

• Loan forgiveness is available to borrowers in repayment making qualified payments on their Direct Loans under certain circumstances.

• If you have FFEL (Federally Guaranteed) Loans, you must consolidate into the Federal Direct Loan System before qualifying payments on them will begin the prescription period.
• People working in public service, 501(c)(3) agencies & most government positions, may have their loans forgiven after making 10 years of qualifying payments, 25 year for people in other types of positions.
• The new Income Based Repayment Plan, will become available on July 1, 2009, allowing qualifying borrows to pay a lower payment and still qualify for loan forgiveness.

Student Debt Relief Webinar: June 24, 3:15 - 4:45pm

Learn more about the above topics & additional resources.

Sign up directly at:
http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/resources/student-debt-relief/student-debt-relief-webinar-series

Friday!

Avoiding Malpractice Claims
HOL 382, 2-4pm
No Cost.
Reception to follow in FDR

All JD/LLM students, recent graduates and alums are welcome! This is a great opportunity to get important information, meet other practicing attorneys and network!

Did you know that statistically, one in three attorneys practicing today will be the target of a legal malpractice claim. About half of malpractice claims are caused by administrative andclient relations errors, all of which can be avoided by instituting and following sound practice management procedures. This course will provide an overview of the most common causes of legal malpractice, the best risk management practices for avoiding claims and the relationship of various sections of Article 4 of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar to the risk avoidance procedures. The course will conclude with an explanation of the unique characteristics of a lawyers professional liability policy.

Presenters:

William Loucks, Attorney, President & CEOScott Danahy, Attorney, Claims SpecialistFlorida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co.

2009 National LGBT Bar Association's Annual Career Fair and Conference

New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge

September 10-12, 2009

Kathleen Sullivan Featured Speaker at National LGBT Bar Association's Annual Career Fair and Conference

Constitutional law scholar Kathleen Sullivan, of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges, LLP, will be serving as a featured speaker at the National LGBT Bar Association’s Annual Career Fair and Conference this September.Sullivan is the author of the nation’s leading casebook in constitutional law, and has been named one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America by the National Law Journal. She was widely considered to be on the short list of candidates to replace David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Searching for Open Positions within the Court System

Are you interested in working within the Federal Judiciary?

You can can explore job vacancies at: http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/

Click on “Search Job Vacancies,” then on the “Search for Jobs” to find open positions within the Federal Judiciary. You can also learn more about the federal courts and several judicial agencies.

The Center for Career Development has compiled a list of useful websites to aid you in your job search. Please email us if you need more useful links.

ABA Teleconference

TODAY!

Recession-Proof Yourself:

Take Control in a Down Economy

DATE: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 1-2pm Eastern Time
If you missed it, order the audio download.
Cost: FREE to ABA members

This program is part of the ABA Recession Recovery Teleconference Series.

How’s the recession affecting you? Need some insight on navigating these troubled economic times? Listen in to the ABA Recession Recovery Teleconference Series, free for ABA members. We hope you can join us for one of these four teleconferences, which feature expert faculty providing practical tips and strategies for succeeding in today’s career climate. Programs will focus on marketing yourself, succeeding as a solo practitioner, adapting to the new legal environment, and stabilizing your outlook in an unstable world.

Click here for more information on the series and to view additional series sessions.

Join a free local listening party at a participating bar association near you. Click here for a complete list of participating bar associations.

Small Practice Series

Understanding Malpractice Insurance

& Tips to Avoid Claims

June 19th 2-5pm

UF Law Campus HOL 382

FREE

Open to all law students, recent graduates and alums.

Take advantage of this wonderful program presented by local practicioners.

Statistically, one in three attorneys practicing today will be the target of a legal malpractice claim. About half of malpractice claims are caused by administrative andclient relations errors, all of which can be avoided by instituting and following sound practice management procedures. This course will provide an overview of the most common causes of legal malpractice, the best risk management practices for avoiding claims and the relationship of various sections of Article 4 of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar to the risk avoidance procedures. The course will conclude with an explanation of the unique characteristics of a lawyers professional liability policy.

Presenters: William Loucks, Attorney, President & CEOScott Danahy, Attorney, Claims SpecialistFlorida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co.

Sign up on Symplicity in the Events tab. Click Review next to each class & select RSVP or contact us by email at careers@law.ufl.edu

Attention: Alums in California

Leveraging Your JD in Today's Economy

A program designed for job-seeking law graduates to help maximize growth and potential opportunities in an ever-shifting market

June 24 3:00-6:30 p.m.

Santa Clara University campus, Bannan Hall, Room 135

Cost: $15.00

The program is designed to provide practical advice during this unprecedented paradigm shift within the legal industry. This 3-1/2 hour seminar includes search firm representatives, financial advisors, social network guidance, career counseling and a California MCLE special credit (substance abuse) segment by a wellness expert. As an added benefit, some of our experts will be available for personal advice during the program break and afterwards. To find out more about this program, please go to: http://law.scu.edu/careers/leveraging-your-jd.cfm


This program is open to any interested attorney, law student, or NALP member. Please feel free to share this information with others who might be interested in gaining some insight from these professionals.

Minnesota Minority Recruitment Conference 2009

18th Annual

Minnesota Minority Recruitment Conference

August 14-15, 2009

The Minnesota Minority Recruitment Conference aims to increase legal diversity in the Twin Cities by joining the largest legal employers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area with top-quality 2L and 3L candidates from around the country.

Employers participating in the interviews will include small, medium and large firms; corporate law departments; and public interest, nonprofit and government entities. The conference is co-sponsored by Twin Cities Diversity in Practice and the Twin Cities Committee on Minority Lawyers in Large Law Firms ("TCC").

Registration:
Please go to the MMRC Symplicity website at https://law-tcc-csm.symplicity.com/ for student and employer registration.

Spike in JAG Corps Applicants

Posted Jun 9, 2009, 04:54 pm CDT
By Sarah Randag

Several branches of the U.S. Military report that they are on track to have a record number of applicants for Judge Advocate General Corps positions. The Navy received more than twice as many applications in the now-complete 2009 recruiting period than it did in 2008, the National Law Journal reports.

"People are looking for stability right now. We don't offer the salaries that the larger law firms do, but we offer diverse practices and diverse locations," Lt. Col. Paulette Burton, the chief judge advocate for recruiting for the Army told the National Law Journal. "As the economy continues to go in this downward spiral, [judge advocates] can count on their salaries and their benefits. We don't lay people off."

Burton says that starting base pay for army judge advocates is $40,000 a year, but allowances add $14,400 to that, and the Army recently announced that it would begin offering loan repayments of $65,000 for judge advocates. Marine Corps judge advocates start at between $42,000 and $52,000, while Navy pay starts between $53,000 and $60,000.

Most applicants for JAG positions are still law students, but several branches have noticed more applications from practicing attorneys. The Navy received applications from about 200 practicing attorneys this year, up from the usual 40 or 50.

Full article is available at

http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202431259048&Military_JAG_Corps_report_recruitment_surge&slreturn=1

Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) Event

Interested in working in

Tampa?

Attend this networking event and get 1 CLE credit!

Event: CLE Speed Networking and Memory Training-Happy Hour Following CLE
When: Wed June 17, 2009 from 4:00-6:00 PM
Where: Chester Ferguson Building
1610 N. Tampa Street, Tampa FL 33602
Cost: $27.50 for members, $29.50 for non-members ($5 extra for walk-ins)
Register: Contact the HCBA at 813-221-7777 or visit: https://www.hillsbar.com/Calendar/Signup.aspx?EventNo=1735

Receive networking tips and have one on one time with other Bar members to learn about each other's practice areas and firms.

Tip: If you truly want to find a job in Hillsborough County, you have to attend as many events as possible at the Chester Ferguson Law Center!

FREE Teleconfence for ABA Members

Recession-Proof Yourself: Take Control in a Down Economy

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Format: Teleconference and Live Audio Webcast

Time: 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern Time

Sponsor: American Bar Association

This program is part of the ABA Recession Recovery Teleconference Series.
How’s the recession affecting you? Need some insight on navigating these troubled economic times? Listen in to the ABA Recession Recovery Teleconference Series, free for ABA members. The teleconferences feature expert faculty who provide practical tips and strategies for succeeding in today’s career climate. Programs will focus on marketing yourself, succeeding as a solo practitioner, adapting to the new legal environment, and stabilizing your outlook in an unstable world.

For more information: http://www.abanet.org/cle/programs/t09ryt1.html

Young Lawyers Section

An Afternoon at the State Courthouse

Young Lawyers Section

Friday, June 19, 2009
01:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Location: Orange Co. Courthouse - Jury Assembly Room


Event Cost
Reg. Members - $10
Affiliates - $10
Government - $10
Law Students - $10
Honorary - No Charge
Guests - $10
Associates - $10

Registration:
To register for this event, please email reservations@ocbanet.org no later than the dates listed below.


The Young Lawyers Section's An Afternoon at the State Courthouse seminar will provide helpful hints for area attorneys as they practice before the circuit and county judges of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. The seminar will give attendees insight into local judicial practices and procedures and is designed for attorneys, law students, paralegals, and other legal professionals. Registration: 1:00 p.m. Program: 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Fee: $10CLE credit (including ethics) pending
RSVPs by June 12. Please RSVP and send payment to Mike Remensnyder, OCBA, 880 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 (miker@ocbanet.org).

Twitter

Twitter has a new job search engine

TiP: Search for "legal", “attorney”, “lawyer”, “J.D.”, “LLM”, etc. New jobs are added frequently.

http://www.twitterjobsearch.com/

SKILLS WORKSHOPS

TODAY!

Motion & Pleadings Practice Workshop
All JD/LLM Students, Recent Graduates & Alumni are welcome!
June 5 HOL 382 2:00 p.m.

Learn the practical skills sought by legal employers that will enable you to distinguish yourself and hit the ground running.
This course examines the purposes and functions of pleadings in the litigation process, and develops the fundamental lawyering skills needed for handling pretrial motions effectively. This class will analyze the anatomy of commercial foreclosure pleadings from A – Z, including the Complaint, Motion for Summary Judgment, Final Judgment of Foreclosure, Notices relating to the Foreclosure sale and sale process, and post-judgment motions and practice. The loan documents, pleadings for affirmative relief as well as defensive motions and procedures will be analyzed in relationship to the foreclosure process. The procedural and substantive law governing foreclosure actions will be reviewed as it relates to drafting of the pleadings and argument of the case.

Presenters: Jeffrey R. Dollinger, Scruggs and Carmichael, P.A. John Roscow, Carpenter and Roscow, P.A.

Sign up on Symplicity in the Events tab. Click Review next to each class & select RSVP

Martindale-Hubbell

Career Center

This may be the most difficult job market we've ever seen and Martindale-Hubbell can help.

You've probably used Martindale-Hubbell to prepare for interviews and to get background information on potential employers. Now you can find positions with those same law firms and other related specialties at Martindale-Hubbell's New Career Center. This complimentary service features:

1. Thousands of searchable positions, one of the most robust job banks in the legal industry.
2. Direct links to key employer information through lawyer & law firm profiles.
3. The ability to maintain different versions of your resume so you can tailor your experience to specific job opportunities.
4. An innovative resume search engine that is easy to use so you can stand out to hiring managers and recruiters.
5. Exclusive interviews with leaders in the legal profession and recruiting partners.

Visit Martindale-Hubbell's New Career Center to save time and jumpstart your new career in the legal profession. Link: http://www.martindale.com/Careers/Careers.aspx

Going Solo in a New Economy - Free Teleseminar June 9th

Sign up for the free ‘Going Solo in a New Economy‘ teleseminar with Susan Cartier Liebel and Carolyn Elefant to be held on Tuesday, June 9th at noon EST ( 12 noon - 1:00) and receive a free 51 page e-book, ‘Going Solo; Confessions and Inspirations’.

Visit their site at Solo Practice University:
http://buildasolopractice.solopracticeuniversity.com/2009/06/01/going-solo-in-a-new-economy-free-teleseminar-june-9th/

Alumni Job Listserve

The Alumni Listserve provides a quick way to disseminate job opportunities for entry-level attorneys as well as networking events and receptions of particular interest to alums seeking employment oportunities.

UF College of Law alumni can subscribe by visiting:

https://lists.law.ufl.edu/mailman/listinfo/alumni-job or by sending a blank email to alumni-job-subscribe@lists.law.ufl.edu

You can unsubcribe anytime!

Proper Social Networking Skills

Here's a link to an interesting video regarding proper social networking skills. The video talks about social networking sites (such as Facebook, Myspace and LinkedIn) and how some employers are viewing the contents of an applicant's site before making a job offer.

http://careertv.com/v2/CareerTVShow.aspx?searchcategory=ByCareerTVShow&searchitem=Generation+Y+&+Social+Networking&eidparam=7

You can find other helpful videos on this site such as mock interviews, job search tips, etc.

Resources for Tough Times

The American Bar Association (ABA)

Provides comprehensive economic recovery resources including information on:

· job search/networking tips and articles
· professional development
· career transition
· practice management and
· stress management.
Visit: http://new.abanet.org/economicrecovery/default.aspx

COMMUNITY- BASED RESOURCES
Unemployment Benefits:

For information on unemployment benefits in Florida, visit the State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation website at: http://www.floridajobs.org/index.html.

For information on unemployment benefits in other states, visit the U.S. Department of Labor website at http://www.dol.gov/dol/location.htm.

The Department of Labor also offers other resources to job seekers: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) offers employment-related assistance to workers impacted by layoffs to improve their re-employment prospects and prepare for job transitions. The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) provides information on health and retirement benefit rights to help American workers make decisions regarding their health coverage in case of job loss. Find information on these programs at: http://www.dol.gov/dol/highlights/highlights-more.htm#job_loss.

Student Loans:

You may be eligible for deferral, forbearance, or consolidation of your student loans. Information is available at: https://www.dl.ed.gov/borrower/BorrowerWelcomePage.jsp.

If you work for a government or non-profit organization you may qualify for loan forgiveness under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act: http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/resource/ccraa.

Foreclosure Information:

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers information and resources on avoiding foreclosure at: http://www.hud.gov/local/fl/homeownership/foreclosure.cfm.

Credit Counseling:

The Consumer Credit Counseling Service, a non-profit organization, offers comprehensive, confidential counseling that addresses individual financial situations and identifies options in the person’s best interests: http://www.cccservices.com/index.html.

Other Benefits:

Information on food stamps, temporary cash assistance and Medicaid is available at http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/.

WIC provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. Information on assistance in Florida: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/family/wic/.

Information on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/tanf/about.html.

Mental Health Counseling:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and provides information on mental health resources. Information on Florida resources is available at: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/MHDR.aspx?D1=FL&Type=MDR.

Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. is a non-profit corporation created to identify and offer assistance to bar members who suffer from substance abuse, mental health, or other disorders which negatively affect their lives and careers: http://www.fla-lap.org/.