Stetson University College of Law

July 15, 2002: Gulfport, Fla. - Stetson University College of Law recently recognized St. Petersburg attorney Karen Lopez with the 2002 William Reece Smith Jr. Public Service Award.

As the first female president of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, Lopez played a major role in forming the Community Law Program, Inc., a local nonprofit organization that provides pro bono legal services to those who cannot afford an attorney. Lopez also received the Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award for the Sixth Circuit in 1992.

Lopez works as a sole practitioner in personal injury law. She serves on the board of trustees for the Community Law Program and continues to be an active volunteer for the St. Petersburg Bar Association.

"It amazes me that Karen will so freely give of her time to the Community Law Program while she meets the demands of her sole-practitioner law practice and fulfills her family obligations," said Community Law Program Executive Director Kelly Vaughn Rauch, who nominated Lopez for the award. "Her contributions really are extraordinary."

Stetson established the William Reece Smith Jr. Award in 1990 to recognize and honor individuals who have demonstrated exemplary achievements in public service. William Reece Smith, the award's namesake and its first recipient, is a member of the Stetson faculty, and a past president of the American Bar Association and The Florida Bar.

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Stetson University College of Law is Florida's first law school. It has educated lawyers for more than 100 years, and offers continuing legal education programs for regional, state, national and international audiences. Stetson University College of Law tied for first place in Trial Advocacy in the 2003 U.S. News and World Report rankings of law schools.