Hill Ward Henderson attorneys Matthew F. Hall and Tori C. Simmons have been recognized for their pro bono work at the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s (HCBA) 17th Annual Judicial Food Festival & 12th Annual 5K Pro Bono Run. The goal of the HCBA’s 5K Pro Bono Run is to raise pledges of pro bono hours on behalf of runners and walkers participating in the race.
Hall received the “2020 Rosemary Proven Producer Award” for most pro bono hours performed individually. Simmons, along with four other recipients, received the “2020 Award for Individuals Who Raised the Most Pledges”.
The Hillsborough County Bar Association is one of the largest voluntary bar associations in Florida with a membership close to 4,000 attorneys, judges and legal professionals. The HCBA is a vibrant, diverse organization that has earned a national reputation for its outstanding programs and events. Their mission is to inspire and promote respect for the law and the justice system through service to the legal profession and the community.
Hall is a shareholder in the firm’s Litigation group, primarily focusing on complex commercial litigation, insurance coverage disputes, management-side employment matters and federal court practice. Prior to attending law school, he served as aninfantryman in the U.S. Army, deploying to Iraq in 2003. Hall is a proud life member of both the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He played instrumental roles in creating and leading the military and veterans affairs committees for the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. Hall also created and helped fund the first endowed scholarship for military veterans at University of Florida School of Law. He serves as the Commander at the local VFW and served as a mentor with the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s Veterans Treatment Court. Hall is also accredited to represent veterans’ benefits claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs and assists veterans at no cost to secure their disability benefits.
Simmons is an associate in the firm’s Litigation Group. Her practice primarily focuses on complex commercial business litigation. Simmons devotes a significant amount of time to pro bono service. Simmons represents clients in family law, guardian advocacy, and domestic violence matters through the Bay Area Legal Services Volunteer Lawyers Program and the Domestic Violence Assistance Project. She also serves as an attorney ad litem representing teens in foster care in dependency and delinquency proceedings through Crossroads for Florida Kids.
3.11.20Firm News