Two Major Honors in One Week: Celebrating Daniela Mendez
Crossroads For Florida Kids is proud to celebrate Board Member and longtime volunteer attorney Daniela Estefany Mendez, whose extraordinary commitment to children was recognized twice this January. Within a single week, Daniela received major honors from both the Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Association, reflecting the depth and impact of her service across our community.
Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award
Daniela was selected as the 2026 Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award honoree for the 13th Judicial Circuit and was recognized at the Florida Supreme Court on January 22, where she was celebrated alongside lawyers from across Florida recognized for their exceptional pro bono service.
The Florida Bar highlighted her “more than 900 pro bono hours since 2019,” nearly all of which have been spent representing Hillsborough County’s most vulnerable children through Crossroads. Daniela’s personal history gives her a rare ability to connect with the young people she serves. She understands the challenges many of them face, and she meets them with empathy, consistency, and respect. Whether she’s advocating in court or checking in at a group home or facility, Daniela shows her clients that they matter — and that someone is firmly in their corner.
HCBA YLD Outstanding Government/Nonprofit Young Lawyer Award
Just days before the Supreme Court ceremony, Daniela was recognized at the Hillsborough County Bar Association Diversity Membership Luncheon with the 2025 Young Lawyers Division Outstanding Government/Nonprofit Young Lawyer Award. Held on January 14 at the Hilton Tampa Downtown and featuring Tampa Mayor Jane Castor as keynote speaker, the luncheon brought together leaders across the legal community to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and service.
Daniela’s recognition at this event reflects her career‑long dedication to public‑interest work and her leadership among emerging lawyers. Her commitment to young people in crisis, her mentorship of law students and new attorneys, and her steady presence in the nonprofit and government sectors all contributed to this well‑deserved honor.
A Year of Well‑Deserved Recognition
Together, these awards reflect what we at Crossroads see every day: a fierce advocate, a compassionate mentor, and a steady presence for children navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives. Daniela’s dedication, empathy, and lived experience continue to shape outcomes for youth who might otherwise go unheard.
We are grateful for her service — and proud to celebrate her achievements.
