BRUCE A. BLITMAN of Palm Beach Gardens received the Justice Teaching Volunteer of the Year Award during the Judicial Luncheon at The Florida Bar’s Annual Convention in Boca Raton. The award honors an attorney volunteer for dedication in teaching Florida students about their government and the courts.
The award was presented by Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis, who founded Justice Teaching in 2006, with the ultimate goal of pairing a legal professional with every elementary, middle and high school in Florida. Today, the organization has more than 4,000 volunteer lawyers and judges, delivering interactive civics lessons in Florida schools. Justice Teaching is a statewide effort by judges and lawyers to engage students in the workings of the justice system.
Blitman, a member of The Florida Bar for 35 years and a full-time Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil, County and Family Mediator for more than 28 years, was recognized for his work with veteran teacher Mrs. Sherri Moss of Bethune Elementary School in Hollywood. For more than five years, Blitman devoted an entire morning each month of the school year to teaching Mrs. Moss’ fifth grade students about the legal system and government. He reached out to the legal community and local government to recruit role model speakers to share their real world experiences with the students. These guests included a Florida Supreme Court justice, mayors, state legislators, judges and authors. Blitman worked closely with Mrs. Moss to tailor lessons and choices of guest speakers to fit the learning styles and special needs of her students, many of whom had ESE (exceptional student education) disabilities and challenges.
Blitman and his wife, Shari, recently relocated to Palm Beach from Cooper City in Broward County, where they lived for almost 27 years. His participation in the Justice Teaching program has been one of the highlights of his professional career. He is eager to continue his JT partnership with a Palm Beach County school for many years to come. He will continue to mediate disputes throughout Broward, Palm Beach and Martin Counties, and beyond. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law.