O’CALLAGHAN SELECTED AS ONE OF COLLIER COUNTY’S TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL BUSINESS LEADERS
Naples, FL– Legal Aid Service of Collier County (‘LASCC’) is pleased to announce that Carol O’Callaghan has been named by Naples Illustrated to the ‘Top 100 – Collier County’s Most Influential Business Leaders’ for 2021. Ms. O’Callaghan has served as the Managing Attorney for LASCC since 2010. Carol has presided over the large-scale growth and impact of Legal Aid’s organization through her outstanding leadership and tireless commitment to equal justice and access to justice for all residents of Collier County.
Ms. O’Callaghan is Past President of both the Collier County Women’s Bar Association and the Young Lawyers Section of the Collier County Bar Association. She was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, graduated from Naples High, and is a ‘triple Gator,’ having received her BA (Honors), MA and JD from the University of Florida. She was honored as a Member of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers 2015 Class of Leaders in the Law, and in 2015/2016 was named ‘Woman Lawyer of the Year’ by the Collier County Women’s Bar Association.
Cathy Chestnut, the Editor of the Naples Illustrated publication, states the following about the ‘Top 100’ and those honored:
“[T]he Naples 100 is a showcase of the top business and community leaders who make Collier County a special place to live…[T]he Naples 100 spotlights those who are not only successful in their professions, they are true leaders who often volunteer their time, money, and expertise to enhance the quality of life in Naples.”
“Carol O’Callaghan is rightly being recognized as one of the most influential people in Collier County,” states Tony Karrat, Executive Director of LASCC and of the regional parent organization, Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Inc. “She has managed the growth of LASCC, which had one attorney when it started in 2004 and now has 16 and over 34 employees. She has overseen the expansion of services for Collier residents to include programs addressing housing and consumer issues, domestic violence, immigration advocacy, children’s advocacy, and legal services to veterans and seniors. Each year, more than 2,500 residents receive free legal services through programs supervised by Carol. Under her leadership, the Legal Aid program has played a leading role in addressing the mortgage foreclosure crisis during the recession, relief efforts after hurricanes, and continuing advocacy during this Covid-19 Pandemic. Legal Aid is an essential part of the fabric of the Collier County community as a product of Carol’s leadership over a very dedicated staff of advocates. We are very proud of all her and the program’s accomplishments and thank Naples Illustrated for this well-deserved recognition of Carol.”
About Legal Aid Service of Collier County
Legal Aid Service of Collier County (‘LASCC’) is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide high quality, free legal advice, representation and education to the residents of Collier County, according to need, so as to encourage self-sufficiency and improve the quality of life for the entire community. LASCC has assisted over 20,000 Collier County residents in need with free civil legal services since formation in 2004 as a Division of its parent organization, Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Inc. LASCC’s lawyers change the lives of clients by prioritizing their health, safety, and ability to meet basic needs when they face high stakes outcomes and cannot afford counsel. To learn more visit www.collierlegalaid.org. Those in need of assistance can call (239) 775-4555.
