Don M. Stichter was a founding member of the TBBBA and served as its first President. Regarded as the “Dean” of the Bankruptcy Bar, Don was among the most highly honored lawyers in Florida. Buoyed by a strong faith and a commitment to equal justice for all, Don was deeply committed to the pro bono delivery of legal services to the needy and served in various capacities on the board of Bay Area Legal Services (BALS), which honored him as the fourth recipient of its highest award, the Judge Don Castor Award, in 2012. His example and guidance were instrumental in the Florida Supreme Court’s selection in 2014 of his law firm, Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Postler, P.A., as the outstanding firm in the state for its contributions to the delivery of legal services to the poor. BALS has created the Don M. Stichter Fellowship in his honor, and the first Fellow has been appointed to assist those who cannot afford counsel in mortgage and other credit disputes.
In a fitting tribute to his legacy, the TBBBA renamed its pro bono service award in 2019 to honor Don after his passing. The Don M. Stichter Award for Exceptional Service is presented periodically to a member of the TBBBA in recognition of having demonstrated over a period of years exceptional service to the bankruptcy bar and the community at large as exemplified by Don M. Stichter during his lifetime. The Stichter Award’s criteria is, “Selfless devotion to the bankruptcy bar and the community through years of service far in excess of expectations; sustained contribution of time and resources to the bankruptcy bar and the community at large; commitment to living the Oath of Admission to The Florida bar through demonstrated and unwavering support of the cause of the defenseless or oppressed.”
The recipients of the Don M. Stichter Award for Exceptional Service Award are:
Michael Barnett 2016
Scott A. Stichter 2022
Traci K. Stevenson 2023