FACDL President Jason Blank Highlights Annual Sips & Suit Event

Floridabar.org
Mar 05, 2025

The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) recently hosted “Sips & Suits” events across the state, bringing together criminal defense lawyers for some networking while giving back to their communities.

These events aimed to replenish Public Defenders’ trial clothes closets by collecting professional attire for their clients in need during those proceedings.

Chapters from across Florida — including Broward County, Northeast Florida (Jacksonville), St. Johns County, Palm Beach County, Lee County, Central Florida, and St. Lucie County — simultaneously held events and collecting suits, dress shirts, and accessories to help ensure that clients have access to appropriate courtroom attire. The collected clothing will be donated directly to local PD offices, where they will be available for individuals who may not otherwise have access to professional clothing for court appearances.

Suits“Many of us started our careers as public defenders and know the struggle of finding appropriate trial clothes for our clients,” said FACDL President Jason B. Blank. “Everyone deserves the dignity of presenting themselves professionally in court, and this initiative helps ensure that lack of resources doesn’t stand in the way of that.”

Blank says he hopes to expand and make these events recurring annually so FACDL can continue its support of Florida’s public defenders.

For more information about FACDL events, upcoming initiatives, or how to contribute, visit www.facdl.org.