Florida’s Children First (FCF), a statewide advocacy organization focused on protecting the legal rights of at-risk and foster care children, announced that Orlando attorney Richard B. Schwamm has been appointed to the organization’s Board of Directors.

“We are honored to have Richard join our Board of Directors with his many years of dealing with children’s cases and his passionate support of the work we do to advocate for Florida’s youth, ” said FCF Executive Director Christina Spudeas.

Florida’s Children First, Inc. was founded in 2001 by child advocates, volunteers and attorneys from across the state who were working on issues affecting Florida’s most vulnerable children. FCF staff, board members, volunteers, and advocates devote their time to ensure that each child in care or in an at-risk situation will have a voice that is heard when decisions are made.

Schwamm is a shareholder with Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm, leading the firm’s Orlando office. He is an experienced trial attorney who focuses his practice in the areas of medical malpractice, catastrophic brain injury, personal injury, premises liability, wrongful death and complex corporate litigation. Throughout his more than two decades in the legal realm he has dedicated his career to serving clients as a legal rights advocate.

Schwamm is actively involved in children’s issues across the state and serves on the Executive Board of Children’s Safety Village of Central Florida. He is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized on the Florida’s Super Lawyers List every year since 2010.

“The mission of Florida’s Children First aligns with the principles I have practiced throughout my career, which have been to advocate for those who have been unjustly wronged and need our help,” said Schwamm. “I am thrilled to take on this new role and continue the amazing work of this organization and Board.”

As a recognized thought leader in children’s injury cases, Schwamm has been an invited speaker throughout Florida and the U.S. on numerous medical and legal issues, including the delivery of brain injured children, child safety, catastrophic injury, medical malpractice, hospital law, and significant injury cases involving newborns, toddlers, teenagers and their families. Additionally, he has been an invited guest speaker for nationally recognized organizations and education institutions, including Harvard University, University of Central Florida, Medical Intelligence Corporation, and the Contemporary Forum Speaker Series.

He is a resident of Windermere, Fla. and is admitted to practice law in Florida as well as the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida.

About Florida’s Children First:

Florida’s Children First is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at-risk children and youth, especially those in foster care. Uniquely positioned as Florida’s premiere independent advocacy organization, our mission is to seek full representation of children and youth and obtain meaningful and sustainable improvement in Florida’s child serving systems.