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Sarasota News Leader August 2, 2013 Page 31 bono help to indigent clients. The nonprofit logged more than 5,700 free hours on behalf of clients last year, helping in cases involving domestic violence, guardianship, veterans facing homelessness and more. Legal Aid relies heavily on the Florida Bar Foundation, a nonprofit that receives its funding principally through interest earned on trust accounts, but panelist and Foundation President John Patterson of Sarasota said his organization has taken a big hit in recent years. Income is way down from where it was in 2007, when it was around $70 million. "I believe our funding to Legal Aid of Manasota is about half of what it was at the peak," he added, and the situation "has placed a huge Public Defender Larry Eger. Photo courtesy of Florida Studio Theatre The historic Sarasota County Courthouse is part of the Justice Center in downtown Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel