Local Attorney Receives Florida Bar Pro Bono Award

The Florida Bar recently recognized 22 lawyers across the state for their work on behalf of low-income and disadvantaged clients at a ceremony on February 7 at the Supreme Court of Florida. Local attorney, Neil T. Lyons, of Boyer & Boyer, P.A. was chosen to receive the award from the 12th Judicial Circuit which represents DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

Established in 1981, The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Awards are intended to encourage lawyers to volunteer free legal services to the poor by recognizing those who make public service commitments as well as to raise public awareness of the substantial volunteer services provided by lawyers across the state to those who are unable to afford legal fees. In the most recent twelve months reported, Florida lawyers provided over 1.58 million hours of pro bono services to those in need and more than $5.8 million to legal aid organizations.

Recipient Neil T. Lyons has an extensive history providing pro bono legal service. At the Stetson University College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor in 2011, he was the recipient of the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award which is given to students who perform outstanding pro bono service beyond that required for graduation. In 2015, Lyons began taking pro bono cases from Legal Aid of Manasota. In less than four years he has donated almost 500 pro bono hours. Many of the cases he has taken are complex guardianship and guardian advocate cases, though he also has handled several probate matters. Lyons has also volunteered many hours of service to the clients of the Comprehensive Treatment Court. That program, within the 12th Judicial Circuit’s Mental Health Court, is designed for people who are charged with a qualifying offense, suffer from a serious mental illness that likely led to the criminal charge and are unable to meet their basic needs.

Lyons joined Boyer & Boyer, P.A. in 2014, a firm with a proven commitment to pro bono service in the community. Three other attorneys from the firm are past recipients of this award: Edwin M. Boyer in 1994, Mary Alice (Ferrell) Jackson in 1998, and Andrew R. Boyer in 2015.

Boyer & Boyer, P.A. is an Elder Law firm dedicated to the needs of people who are aging, individuals with disabilities, and their families. Founded in 1995, the firm now includes six attorneys and a staff of highly experienced support personnel, all of whom are committed to the needs of our clients. Practice areas focus on Estate Planning and Probate, Trust Administration, Guardianship, Medicaid and Long-Term Care Counseling, and Disputes and Appellate Advocacy.

Our mission is to provide clients with solutions to the personal and financial challenges of aging and disability. We offer our clients a safe place to tell their stories, then provide experienced legal counseling as well as access to community resources which can assist with other needs. The firm is committed to serving our community through pro bono services to the poor, public education, and advocacy. We lead the way by seeking change in public policies that benefit older persons and those with disabilities.