Every month, We The Action recognizes lawyers who embody our mission to expand access to justice and deliver free legal services where they are critically needed. This month, we honor a volunteer and educator whose commitment to pro bono service highlights how giving back can strengthen not only communities in need, but also the sense of purpose and connection of lawyers who serve.
Through his volunteer work with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Bradley Roth helped restore pathways to civic participation for returning citizens in Florida who had previously been excluded from the democratic process due to felony convictions. His research and advocacy supported individuals seeking to regain their voting rights, illuminating a path toward belonging, dignity, and fuller participation in society.
Congratulations, Bradley!
“The work we do for pay can sometimes be disconnected from our motivations and aspirations to make a difference interpersonally and on a societal level. I strongly believe performing pro bono work can be very gratifying.”
— Bradley Roth, We The Action Volunteer
Meet the Volunteer: For Bradley Roth, advocacy and humanity go hand in hand.
An adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Bradley developed and teaches “Mindfulness and Managing Conflict,” a dispute resolution course designed to help students build skills to strengthen both professional effectiveness and personal well-being. His work is grounded in the belief that the legal profession should never lose sight of empathy and human connection, a perspective he also advocates for as an active member of Mediators Beyond Borders International and the Project for Integrating Spirituality, Law, and Politics.
“As attorneys, we’re trained to see life and the world in a particular way; one that frequently can divorce us from critical aspects of our humanity that are of fundamental importance.”
That philosophy drew Bradley to volunteer with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), a We The Action nonprofit partner he discovered during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic while seeking meaningful ways to contribute remotely.
About the Nonprofit: FRRC is a grassroots organization led by returning citizens and allies committed to ending disenfranchisement and improving reentry outcomes for formerly incarcerated people across Florida.
“We believe people have the right to fully participate in our democratic society; it not only makes our society more vibrant, but also provides a sense of belonging,”says Raven Lightsey, Executive Director at FRRC. “Bradley was very important to us at a critical point in time, conducting arduous case research that was needed to file modifications in court for returning citizens.”
Through FRRC’s Fines and Fees Program, Bradley supported voting rights advocacy by conducting research to help prepare sentencing modification packets — work that strengthened both the legal team and the people they serve.
Crafting Impact Through Research: Bradley reviewed Florida court databases, case files, and county records to determine individuals’ eligibility for voting rights restoration and identify outstanding legal financial obligations.
For many returning citizens, the issue was not unwillingness to pay fines and fees, but the impossible realities of economic survival. “If an individual owes $750 to the state for a charge they received in 1992, and they are trying to survive today; between needing an oil change, and paying for daycare, the chances that they are going to take $750 and pay those fines is limited,” says Raven.
By the end of Bradley’s year-long engagement with FRRC, he had researched over 1,000 individual cases, providing Florida attorneys with research needed to petition courts for relief more efficiently.
“Knowing that I was helping the attorneys, supporting the program, and contributing to the restoration of voting rights was very satisfying to me.”
Volunteer, It’s Good For You!: During Mental Health Awareness Month, We The Action recognizes the ways volunteering can foster connection, purpose, and well-being while making a meaningful impact in communities. Sign up today to volunteer with FRRC and help Floridians restore their voting rights this election season!
Volunteers will receive digital training on all parts of the process and will also have access to office hours and ongoing support from FRRC staff.
FRRC is also looking for volunteers licensed in Florida to file petitions and advocate in court.
Voter protection efforts are underway, and We The Action’s Democracy Legal Defense Network can help you find the best way to get involved.