Volunteer Spotlight: Scott Borders, Morgan & Morgan, P.A.

What inspired you to become an Attorney Ad Litem volunteer with Crossroads For Florida Kids?

It goes back a bit. When I was a Criminal Justice major at USF, I worked for two legends of the department, Max Dertke, Phd. and Richard Dembo, Phd. They had a grant to study the relationship between physical and sexual abuse and drug use in minors. I interviewed the minors during their first 24 hours in detention. It was an eye-opening, life-changing experience.

When I was a young attorney, I volunteered as an attorney in our Guardian Ad Litem program. I did that for several years and loved it. Then, life got too busy to do any more than raise our three children and do a good job for my clients.

Now, decades later, all the heavy lifting of parenthood is complete. I’m not claiming that I’m ever going to be done being a dad, but you know what I’m saying! Chad Moore and I are law partners, and I learned about Crossroads from him. I was contemplating goals for the upcoming year at the end of 2023. Helping Crossroads help children was my best and most exciting idea.

Can you share a meaningful moment or experience from your time as a volunteer that has stayed with you? 

How about a couple? Our three grown-up children love my participation in Crossroads. You can never give too many good examples for your children. See above.

I love taking a client on a shopping trip to get essential needs. Both of my experiences have been different, but the common thread is that they’re so happy to walk into a store and have choices that they never have.

What would you say to someone considering becoming an Attorney Ad Litem volunteer?

These kids are our clients because of their environment or mental health or both. Their environment is like nothing most of us have ever experienced. Their mental health is also out of their control, but we can help get the issues identified and addressed. Crossroads will teach you and support you. If I can do it, you can too. It’s rewarding on many levels.

What’s a hidden talent you have that few people know about?

I’m pretty good at tying flies for fly fishing. I’ve tied flies for all kinds of fish but focus on freshwater trout these days.

Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to, or if you haven’t been there yet, where is at the top of your list and why?

A clear favorite is a river in Wyoming. It’s hard to get to, even when you know where it is. It requires a big but beautiful hike. Fly fishing in any river is meditative, and this is one of my favorites. New Zealand is on my bucket list for a lot of reasons. But fishing rivers for gorgeous brown trout is the big one.

What would be your theme song when you enter a courtroom?

It wouldn’t be allowed in any courtroom. But it would be fun!

If you had to teach a 5-minute class on anything you love, what would the topic be? 

Not to sound too one dimensional, but it would be fly casting. I used to go to the “Great American Teach In” for all my kids and for my wife’s elementary school classes. They always ate it up!

What’s a small opinion you will defend with your whole heart (best French fry shape, best pen, is a hotdog a sandwich, etc.)? 

With exception of lattes, coffee is meant to be enjoyed black!