18th Judicial Circuit Attorney Ashley Hardee Named ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at Florida Bar Convention

By  //  June 23, 2018

senior staff attorney at Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center in Viera

Ashley Hardee, right, a senior staff attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit at the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center in Viera, was honored by Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis during the Judicial Luncheon at the Florida Bar’s Annual Convention in Orlando.

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – Ashley Hardee, a senior staff attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit at the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center in Viera, was honored by Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis during the Judicial Luncheon at the Florida Bar’s Annual Convention in Orlando.

Out of more than 4,000 participating attorneys, Hardee was named “Volunteer of the Year,” recognized for her exemplary dedication to the Justice Teaching program and to educating Florida students about their government and the role of the courts.

She has been involved in the Justice Teaching program since its inception.

Justice Teaching is a statewide effort by judges and lawyers to engage students in the workings of the justice system. Justice Lewis founded Justice Teaching in 2006, with the goal to pair a legal professional with every elementary, middle and high school in Florida.

The organization has more than 4,000 volunteer lawyers and judges, delivering interactive civics lessons in Florida schools.

Justice Lewis read the following remarks to a packed auditorium prior to introducing Attorney Hardee as the volunteer of the year award winner.

“Attorney E. Ashley Hardee engages Brevard County students in civics education by bringing everyday legal scenarios to life in the classroom for a hands-on approach at learning. Since 2013, she has taught seventh-graders about the Constitution and Bill of Rights and brought local judges in to share Justice Teaching activities.

“She has organized and implemented a mock trial and arranged for local judges to preside and various court personnel to bring their real-world experiences to the classroom. For first-graders she has created a mock trial to learn about the judicial branch. Every class requires different methods of instruction and guidance, and Hardee has tailored the lessons and learning to the level needed for each age group to enjoy their experience.

“Since its inception in 2006, Hardee has made sure that all teachers know about the opportunities the Justice Teaching program offers for learning about the legal system and government. As senior trial court staff attorney in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, she continues to demonstrate the effective interaction of our courts with educators and students and promotes an understanding of Florida’s justice system in a memorable way.” Justice Lewis concludes his remarks by spontaneously adding, “Ashley is a native of Madison County and is loved by all.”

Other honorees were the Hon. Timothy J. Koenig of Key West and Sonia Johnson, a civics teacher at Carver Middle School in Delray Beach.

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