Defendant Mindy Rutstein is an individual who resides in Jerusalem, Israel. Plaintiff Family First Life, LLC brings claims against Mindy Rutstein, her father (David Rutstein), and others for violation of the Lanham Act, violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, common law unfair competition, tortious interference with business relationships, libel per se and defamation, and civil conspiracy. Plaintiff alleges that Mindy Rutstein has disseminated false and disparaging comments about it and its insurance practices.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
You are here
Available Cases
This civil rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 was screened and allowed to proceed on Plaintiff’s Fourteenth Amendment Due Process claims of deliberate indifference against four Defendants arising from their failure to protect him from being attacked by other inmates on August 20, 2021 while he was confined at the Pretrial Detention Center in Miami-Dade County. Defendants filed their Answer on April 8, 2022. Discovery is scheduled to close on January 10, 2023. A trial date has been set for May 8, 2023.
Volunteer representation would entail representing Plaintiff during all pretrial proceedings, including discovery, mediation, and at trial, if necessary. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff Joshua Henkel is appealing the denial of his claim for disability insurance benefits by the Social Security Administration. Plaintiff claims disability due to spinal arthritis, high blood pressure, and bipolar disorder. Prior to the onset of his alleged disability, Plaintiff worked as a merchant mariner chief steward.
The volunteer attorney who takes this case will have the opportunity to prepare a motion for summary judgment, respond to briefing by the United States Attorney’s Office, and present oral arguments to the Court.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Defendant, Beach Jads Corporation, needs a volunteer attorney to represent it in an action filed by Plaintiff, Victor Ariza, under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant controls, maintains, and /or operates a website, https://europann-usa.com, which fails to comply with the ADA because is not accessible to persons who are visually disabled. On May 24, 2022, the Court held a status conference with Plaintiff’s counsel and Ana Maria Zuleta, who is the owner of the Defendant corporation, at which she explained that she operates a Coconut Grove clothing store. The Court advised Ms. Zuleta that because she is not an attorney, she cannot represent her company in this case. Ms. Zuleta advised that she in unable to retain an attorney. The Court wishes to avoid entry of a default judgment, and for that reason, it extended the deadline for Defendant to file its response to the Complaint for sixty days, until July 25, 2022. At the status conference, counsel for Plaintiff and Ms. Zuleta stated they are receptive to conferring to try to resolve the matter, and this suggests that representation of Defendant is not likely to be lengthy.
Any interested volunteer attorney should email mcaliley@flsd.uscourts.gov. Thank you.
Defendant David Rutstein is the owner of National Association of Accredited Insurance Professionals (NAAIP) and resides in Jerusalem, Israel. Plaintiff Family First Life, LLC brings claims against David Rutstein and NAAIP, among others, for violation of the Lanham Act, violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, common law unfair competition, tortious interference with business relationships, libel per se and defamation, and civil conspiracy. Plaintiff alleges that David Rutstein has disseminated false and disparaging comments about it and has engaged in the unlicensed practice of insurance.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff, an inmate at Blackwater River Correctional Institution, filed a Complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaining of civil rights violations. Plaintiff complains of Eighth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment violations committed by corrections officers at Dade Correctional Institution while he was incarcerated there. This civil rights complaint was screened and allowed to proceed on Plaintiff’s excessive force and deliberate indifference claims against certain Defendants in their individual capacities.
The discovery period closed on May 21, 2022. Plaintiff seeks counsel immediately as he files discovery motions, responds to outstanding discovery requests, and prepares for a Discovery hearing set for June 8, 2022. A trial date has not yet been set. Volunteer representation would entail representing Plaintiff during all proceedings, including the settlement conference, and at trial, if necessary.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Pro se Plaintiff Alex Knight filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action against Miami Police Department officers for false arrest and illegal search, alleging that the officers falsified probable cause to obtain a search warrant of his residence. The Court allowed Plaintiff to proceed with his claims against two officers, and Defendants have filed an Answer.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
The Government on behalf of its Agency, the United States Small Business Administration, has filed a lawsuit against Cedric Lathan to foreclose on a mortgage on real estate located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The Government alleges that Defendant has defaulted on a promissory note. Defendant Cedric Lathan is seeking representation through the Volunteer Attorney Program.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
This is a registration of foreign judgment miscellaneous civil case. A judgment from the Western District of North Carolina was entered against Defendant Jacqueline Green in the amount of $40,160.98. The receiver is attempting to collect this judgment in this district using writs of garnishment as to various banks. Pro se Defendant Jacqueline Green has filed claims of exemption and requests for hearings. She seeks a volunteer lawyer. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff seeks counsel on a voluntary basis to represent Plaintiff in this action brought against the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Plaintiff alleges that during employment with the Department of Homeland Security, Defendant committed several discriminatory actions against Plaintiff and retaliated against Plaintiff after complaining. Plaintiff brings claims under the following statutes: (1) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e–e-17; (2) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12112–17; (3) Sections 501 & 505 of the Rehabilitation Act; (4) Sections 102 & 103 of the Civil Rights Act of 1991; and (5) the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant discriminated against Plaintiff based on gender identity and mental health status. Plaintiff alleges that the discriminatory conduct Defendant took against Plaintiff included: (1) failure to promote Plaintiff; (2) failure to accommodate Plaintiff’s disability; (3) applying unequal terms and conditions to Plaintiff’s employment; (4) retaliation; (5) hostile work environment; and (6) failure to assist Plaintiff in Plaintiff’s gender transition. Plaintiff seeks monetary damages, lost wages and overtime compensation, expungement of Plaintiff’s employment record, and an apology letter from Defendant. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov