The Florida Justice Institute (FJI), a nonprofit civil rights litigation and advocacy organization, has reached a settlement with the City of Miami to resolve its lawsuit against the City challenging an Ordinance that prohibits requesting donations in large portions of the City, including most of the downtown area. Under the settlement, the City will repeal […]
Fighting for Justice in Florida
The Florida Justice Institute is a nonprofit public interest law firm that uses impact litigation and advocacy to improve the lives of Florida’s poor and disenfranchised residents, while focusing on criminal justice reform, homelessness & poverty, disability access, and other civil rights issues.
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Michael J. Langley Named New Executive Director
After an extensive search by the Board of Directors of Florida Justice Institute, we are pleased to welcome Michael J. Langley as our new Executive Director. He comes to us after having spent several years in the Phoenix, AZ community working on issues relating to social and criminal justice, racial equity and other issues. To read Michael’s bio, please click here. Also, as was announced in mid-May 2023, Dante Trevisani will now become FJI’s Director of Litigation, continuing to bring his litigation leadership to the organization. Dante’s bio can be found here.
Join the Randall C. Berg, Jr. Legacy Society
The Randall C. Berg, Jr. Legacy Society was created to honor the legacy of Randy Berg, who cofounded the Florida Justice Institute (FJI) in 1978 and served as its Executive Director for 41 years until his retirement in 2019. During that time, he was a mentor, friend, colleague, leader and confidante to the many lawyers, paralegals, law students, and clients who passed through FJl’s doors. He was a tireless advocate for poor and disenfranchised Floridians, and he passionately believed that everyone deserved justice- no matter who they were or what was in their background. Now more than ever, the work started by Randy needs to continue a s FJl works to fulfill his vision! Learn more about becoming a member by clicking here.
45th Anniversary Cocktail Celebration
Thank you to everyone who joined us on November 30th to celebrate our 45th Anniversary; it was truly an honor to have you join us for this milestone event! We were honored to recognize our Founder and Board Chair Rod Petrey by presenting him with our Public Service Award, which will now be named in his honor. Congratulations to LEAP (Ladies Empowerment and Action Program) for receiving our Social Justice Award for their work empowering women who have experienced incarceration to transcend their past through a transformational incarceration-to-community approach.
Our Work
Lawsuit Challenges Jacksonville’s Anti-Solicitation Ordinance as Unconstitutional
The Florida Justice Institute (FJI) and Pensacola attorney Benjamin Stevenson filed a lawsuit challenging a Jacksonville Ordinance that prohibits requesting and receiving donations in large swaths of the City. The Ordinance outlaws solicitation on all streets and sidewalks, and prohibits standing on medians and exchanging items with motorists along certain roadways. Although the Ordinance allows […]
After Trial, Federal Court Declares Remaining Fort Lauderdale Panhandling Ordinance Unconstitutional
U.S. District Court Judge Roy K. Altman released his post-trial findings, concluding that the one Fort Lauderdale panhandling ordinance remaining in the case was unconstitutional, and enjoined the City from enforcing it. The ordinance prohibited pedestrians from exchanging anything by hand with motorists and aimed at stopping people from requesting donations along roadways. Judge Altman […]