Local attorney receives 2025 Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award

Press release from Eric Atria

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Local attorney Eric Atria has been selected to receive the 2025 Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award. Eric Atria is a second-generation Public Defender, defending the Constitutional rights of the indigent in North Central Florida for the past 20 years. In addition to a career of public service, Eric has dedicated hundreds of hours of his time to additional pro bono work. In recognition of this service, The Florida Bar and The Justices of the Supreme Court of Florida will be presenting Eric with this award on January 16, 2025.

Eric was attacked by a client mid-trial in 2022 and hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. The attack prompted successful State legislation, increasing the penalty for a defendant who would batter their own attorney. Fortunately, Eric made a full recovery and chose to return to public defense. This story was fully told in an article published in the Florida Bar Journal: “Staying Zealous: Why I chose to return to public defense after it nearly killed me.”