Children’s Rights Lawyer Howard Talenfeld to Chair Florida Bar Legal Needs of Children Committee for a Third Term
Howard M. Talenfeld, a respected children’s rights attorney and Business Unit Leader of Justice for Kids, a division of Kelley Kronenberg, has been named Chair of The Florida Bar Legal Needs of Children Committee, as appointed by Bar President Michael G. Tanner. This is Talenfeld’s third appointment as Committee Chair, having served in the role from 2009-2010 and 2020-2021.
The Legal Needs of Children Committee was established to find ways to implement the 2002 recommendations of The Florida Bar Commission on the Legal Needs of Children. This report is focused on ensuring that children in state custody receive the best legal representation possible.
“I look forward to collaborating with this committee and my colleagues across the state to also tackle critical issues such as trauma caused by the legal process itself as well as the over-representation of minorities in Florida’s foster care system,” Talenfeld noted.
As a Partner and Business Unit Leader with Kelley Kronenberg and Justice for Kids, Talenfeld is known as having established a statewide children’s rights practice. His work on behalf of at-risk children has improved many lives and has resulted in judicial and legislative reforms. He is also the founder and Board President for Florida’s Children First (FCF), a statewide advocacy organization protecting the rights of foster children and at-risk youth.
Talenfeld was recognized by The Florida Bar Foundation as the recipient of the 2018 Medal of Honor Award for a Lawyer. Additionally, he has been recognized for his efforts with The Florida Bar’s President’s Award of Merit and the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the 17th Judicial Circuit. He has also received Legal Aid’s Russell Carlisle Award for child advocacy law.