PBCBA BAR BULLETINS pbcba_bulletin_Sept. 2019 | Page 26

Legal Aid Society’s 31st Annual Recognition Evening
Honors Retired Florida Supreme Court Justice
and Renown Home Builder
Florida Supreme Court Justice Jorge LaBarga & Zulma LaBarga,
Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara J. Pariente (ret.) &
Judge Fred Hazouri (ret.)
Kara Rockenbach, Sia Baker-Barnes & Michelle Suskauer
Freddy & Jene Williams Rhoades, Michelle & John McGovern
On Saturday evening June 8, 2019, the doors of the Palm Beach County Convention Center opened to
welcome 800 guests and supporters of “access to justice” from all over the state of Florida to celebrate
retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara J. Pariente. Justice Pariente was honored for her amazing
legal and judicial career that has spanned over 45 years and her advocacy to protect the rights, interests,
and needs of children, especially those in Florida’s foster care system.
The evening also honored the nationally known housing builder and developer GL Homes with Legal Aid’s
Annual “Suzanne Foley Serving Justice” Award. Since 2016, GL Homes has devoted its time, energy, and
resources to support Legal Aid’s Guardian Advocacy Project’s (GAP) clients. The GAP program serves 24
developmentally disabled young adults who have aged out of foster care with no family to care for them.
GL Homes provides these special young people with activities and experiences such as bowling, swimming
lessons, arts and crafts, CPR, and first aid training, which help improve their social and life skills.
The event was co-hosted by the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County and The Florida Supreme Court
Historical Society. Presenting sponsors for the evening were: Justice Barbara J. Pariente & Judge Fred
Hazouri, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A., and Scott Smith Injury Law.
Chairpersons of the event were Sia Baker-Barnes, Esq. and Kara Rockenbach, Esq. Emcees for the evening
were Mariano Garcia, Esq. and Michelle Suskauer, Esq.
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All photos by Tracey Benson Photography