Skip to content
Nonprofiteer
← LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$14,601,951
Total expenses
$14,336,731
Contributions and grants received
$14,166,378
Grants paid
$170,216
Program service revenue
$207,918
Investment income
$309,546
Other revenue
-$81,891
Total assets, end of year
$14,141,855
Total liabilities, end of year
$7,275,841
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$6,866,014
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$12,717,618
Management and general expenses
$1,169,271
Fundraising expenses
$449,842
Program service expenses (Part III)
$12,717,618

Program services were 88.7% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1a · Federated campaigns

    $260,281

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $337,473

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $10,323,281

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $3,245,343

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $520

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Legal Assistance Project

    total $140,462 · related or exempt $140,462

  • 2b · Program service revenue: Civil Legal Assistance

    total $40,000 · related or exempt $40,000

  • 2c · Program service revenue: Attorney Fees

    total $20,676 · related or exempt $20,676

  • 2d · Program service revenue: Community ID

    total $6,780 · related or exempt $6,780

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $308,322 · excluded $308,322

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $6,074,733

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $6,073,509

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $1,224

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $1,224 · excluded $1,224

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $148,522

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $337,473

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $231,068

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$82,546 · excluded -$82,546

  • 11a · Other revenue: Other Misc. Revenue

    total $655 · excluded $655

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $655

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $50,625 · program services $50,625

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $119,591 · program services $119,591

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,059,948 · program services $946,480 · management and general $85,137 · fundraising $28,331

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $8,887,344 · program services $7,890,387 · management and general $761,650 · fundraising $235,307

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $224,545 · program services $209,360 · management and general $8,745 · fundraising $6,440

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,345,542 · program services $1,254,551 · management and general $52,406 · fundraising $38,585

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $715,336 · program services $639,709 · management and general $58,220 · fundraising $17,407

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $48,800 · program services $43,222 · management and general $3,254 · fundraising $2,324

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $11,777 · management and general $11,777

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $35,715 · program services $26,332 · management and general $5,244 · fundraising $4,139

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $455,735 · program services $333,491 · management and general $80,758 · fundraising $41,486

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $263,258 · program services $233,166 · management and general $17,554 · fundraising $12,538

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $707,171 · program services $644,622 · management and general $12,754 · fundraising $49,795

  • 17 · Travel

    total $107,155 · program services $100,626 · management and general $813 · fundraising $5,716

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $8,016 · program services $6,175 · management and general $747 · fundraising $1,094

  • 20 · Interest

    total $9,284 · management and general $9,284

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $48,281 · program services $13,442 · management and general $33,779 · fundraising $1,060

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $57,520 · program services $53,273 · fundraising $4,247

  • 24a · Other expenses: Litigation Expenses

    total $71,830 · program services $70,868 · management and general $953 · fundraising $9

  • 24b · Other expenses: Library Fund

    total $38,648 · program services $35,499 · management and general $2,978 · fundraising $171

  • 24c · Other expenses: Projects Expenses

    total $38,362 · program services $37,517 · management and general $745 · fundraising $100

  • 24d · Other expenses: Pro Bono Expenses

    total $20,939 · management and general $20,939

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $11,309 · program services $8,682 · management and general $1,534 · fundraising $1,093

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $3,493 · end of year $2,772

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $7,722,854 · end of year $8,295,451

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,519,721 · end of year $1,102,372

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $16,957 · end of year $33,825

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $82,570 · end of year $181,903

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $620,936

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $577,698

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $45,294 · end of year $43,238

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $1,543,759 · end of year $3,178,887

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $1,607,010 · end of year $1,303,407

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $663,671 · end of year $763,016

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $74,494 · end of year $189,733

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $3,695,410 · end of year $4,191,220

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $1,715,491 · end of year $2,131,872

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $6,275,540 · end of year $6,531,446

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $117,052 · end of year $334,568

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

To provide high quality civil legal advice, representation, and education free of charge to the most vulnerable and at-risk children, families, elders, veterans and individuals in Palm Beach County so as to protect their personal safety, enhance (continues on Schedule O) their opportunities and living conditions, and promote self-sufficiency.

Activities or mission (Part I)

To provide high quality civil legal advice, representation, and (continues on Schedule O) education free of charge to the most vulnerable and at-risk children, families, elders, veterans and individuals in Palm Beach County so as to protect their personal safety, enhance their opportunities and living conditions, and promote self-sufficiency.

  • The Foster Children's Project - The Children Advocacy supports children from birth to age 12, along with their siblings, who are in the licensed custody of the State of Florida. Once appointed by the Juvenile Court, the Project's attorneys advocate for these children in all court and administrative proceedings to protect them from abuse and neglect. They also work to ensure that the children achieve permanent placement with either their biological or adoptive parents within a 12-month period. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, the attorneys represented 460 clients in foster care.

    Expenses $4,586,473

  • The Fair Housing Project - The Individual Rights Advocacy initiative offers community outreach, education, advocacy, and enforcement activities related to fair housing laws. Its goal is to ensure that individuals in Palm Beach, Martin, Okeechobee, Hendry, and St. Lucie counties are not denied housing based on race, sex, color, religion, national origin, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or gender identity and expression. Besides advocating for victims of fair housing discrimination, the project also represents tenants facing eviction, ensuring their rights under the Florida Landlord Tenant Act are upheld. During the fiscal year 2023-24, the Fair Housing Project staff served 1,765 clients.

    Expenses $5,081,570

  • The Elder Law Project - Elder Advocacy offers legal advice, consultation, education, and representation to seniors aged 60 and above who are economically and socially disadvantaged. The project addresses issues such as elder abuse and exploitation, housing law, real property law, consumer law, guardianship matters, family law, and government benefits like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, and Medicaid. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, the Elder Law Project staff at Legal Aid assisted 1,714 seniors in our community.

    Expenses $946,286

  • The Domestic Violence Project offers survivors of abuse legal advice, consultation, and help with filing injunctions for protection (restraining orders), as well as representation at hearings for these injunctions. The project aims to protect clients from further violence and promote stability by establishing parenting plans and securing financial support for survivors when needed. In addition to legal assistance, the project provides referrals to community resources, helping survivors access personalized safety planning, support groups, transitional housing, and financial resources. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, the Domestic Violence Project served 1,751 clients.

    Expenses $683,398

  • During FY 2023-2024 other legal counseling services were provided to 6,636 individuals.

    Expenses $1,419,891 · Grants $170,216 · Revenue $207,918

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Michelle R Suskauer Esq

    President

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    7
  • Lawrence P Rochefort Esq

    First Vice President

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    12
  • Robert H Friedman Esq

    Second Vice President

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    16
  • Scott C Murray Esq

    Secretary

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    10
  • Jerald S Beer Esq

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    17
  • Miriam Acosta-Castriz Esq

    Immediate Past President,

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Robert M W Shalhoub Esq

    Chairperson-Board of Trust

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    12
  • David P Ackerman Esq

    Member-Board of Trustees

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Claire Arnold

    Member-Board of Trustees

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • F Gregory Barnhart Esq

    Member-Board of Trustees

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Jeffery A Devore Esq

    Member-Board of Trustees

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Mariano Garcia Esq

    Member-Board of Trustees

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Garry Glickman Esq

    Member-Board of Trustees

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Jane Kreusler-Walsh Esq

    Member-Board of Trustees

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Richard Lubin Esq

    Member-Board of Trustees

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Rafael J Roca Esq

    Member-Board of Trustees

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Grasford W Smith Esq

    Member-Board of Trustees

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Gary Woodfield Esq

    Member-Board of Trustees

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Leslie Artsis Adams

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Daniel Armas Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Nelson E Baez Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Abigail Beebe Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Richard M Benrubi Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Bridget A Berry Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Robin Bresky Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Carla Tharp Brown

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Alan M Burger Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Vincent F Cuomo

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Amy Devore

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Howard D DuBosar Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Karis Engle MS

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Dwinette J Feemster Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Richard D Greenfield

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Jack P Hill Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Denise Rappaport Isaacs Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Wilnar J Julmiste Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • W Hampton Keen Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Tama B Kudman Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Nancy Albano Lambrecht

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Gary S Lesser Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Daniel Lustig Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • James Grier Pressly III Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Heather L Ries Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Lawrence P Rochefort Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Peter A Sachs Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Matthew Sackel Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Robert M W Shalhoub Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Michelle R Suskauer Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Rebecca Mercier Vargas Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Matthew Zimmerman Esq

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8
  • Robert Bertisch Esq

    Executive Director

    Total calculated
    $178,471
    From this org
    $161,172
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,299
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $161,172
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,956
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,343
    Filer's total
    $178,471
  • Michael Spillane

    Dir. of Finance & Admin.

    Total calculated
    $143,474
    From this org
    $127,474
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,000
    Hours/week
    40
  • James Walsh Esq

    Supervising Attorney

    Total calculated
    $128,445
    From this org
    $112,509
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,936
    Hours/week
    40
  • John Walsh Esq

    Supervising Attorney

    Total calculated
    $152,442
    From this org
    $130,585
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,857
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $130,585
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,104
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,753
    Filer's total
    $152,442
  • Dana Brookes Wooley

    Dir. Of Philanthropy

    Total calculated
    $129,905
    From this org
    $115,220
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,685
    Hours/week
    40
  • Ross Baer Esq

    Supervising Attorney

    Total calculated
    $130,149
    From this org
    $114,350
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,799
    Hours/week
    40
  • Rena Taylor

    Attorney

    Total calculated
    $120,610
    From this org
    $105,964
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,646
    Hours/week
    40

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
9 May 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202501349349309235

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.