In the Community

Beusse Sanks believes that attorneys should serve a larger role in their communities beyond providing paid legal services and the best way to demonstrate this commitment is to lead by example. As a military veteran, Terry is never afraid to lead by example.

 

Tech Startup Ecosystem

In addition to Central Florida being considered the leading region in the U.S. for building the foundation of the Metaverse, Orlando is also known for being a leader in the nation in other technologies including advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, aerospace, defense, simulation, etc. There are numerous entities that assist tech startups with taking their companies to the next level. As a leading IP boutique law firm, Beusse Sanks is proud to be involved with several such entities, further demonstrating the firm’s commitment to providing IP solutions. A couple of examples are identified below:

StarterStudio

Terry Sanks is on the Board of Directors of StarterStudio, https://starterstudio.org. StartStudio supports Central Florida tech startup funds with robust and comprehensive educational programming, coaching, funding, and other resources they need to build successful companies that start, stay and scale in Central Florida. 

Rally

Terry is also involved with Rally, https://rallysea.com, joining a distinguished list of executives and founders as a Rally Maker. Rally is an international hub for social entrepreneurs to access the required knowledge, resources, and people to transform their early-stage work into sustainable ventures that create positive social change. Rally Makers are subject matter experts presenting to the fellows as part of Rally’s accelerator programs or meet one-on-one to address specific topics of expertise.

 

Philanthropic Endeavors

 

Beusse Sanks is a firm believer in promoting the welfare of others, either via donation of time, talent or money. Several examples of Beusse Sanks attorneys practicing this core firm belief is as follows:

 

Jim Beusse Golf Scholarship

Jim Beusse passed away unexpectedly on April 27, 2022. Jim was known for being a seeker, a vigilant and passionate explorer of knowledge and life. He knew that education and learning would take him where he wanted to go, and he would experience as much life as possible along the way. Jim was also an avid golfer. His family established the Jim Beusse Golf Scholarship fund to introduce the game of golf to underprivileged youth, usually from single parent households, in the Central Florida area. Funds will be used to provide tuition and assistance for selected youths to attend golf camps and receive instruction in the game that Jim loved. Beusse Sanks is proud to support this worthwhile effort.

 

James H. Beusse Memorial Patent Award

Beusse Sanks has also started an annual award given at the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair (“SSEF”).  As part of its long-standing commitment to stimulating students, teachers, and the public’s interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), the Florida Foundation for Future Scientists (FFFS) hosts the SSEF each year. More than 900 high school and middle school students compete in the SSEF STEM Competition for awards, prizes, scholarships, and internships worth more than $1.2 million. Beusse Sanks provides an award in the junior section and senior section.  

Pro Bono Activities

The Florida Bar places an aspiration goal on Florida attorneys to provide at least 20 hours of “pro bono” legal services to those in need, or give $350 to a legal aid organization. Attorneys at Beusse Sanks proudly exceed these goals and serve as an inspiration not only to those they help but also their colleagues in the legal profession. 

Community service runs deep at Beusse Sanks. In 1998, former OCBA President Bob Duckworth and Beusse Sanks co-founder Jim Beusse hired Terry as an intellectual property attorney. But they weren’t done. Both Mr. Duckworth and Mr. Beusse were active in the community and firmly believed that lawyers have a duty to help those in need. They inspired Terry to take on the additional job of becoming a Guardian ad Litem (“GAL”) attorney alongside his new career as an intellectual property attorney. Guardian ad Litem attorneys advocate for our most vulnerable youths’ best interests by ensuring they receive proper placement and sufficient care while in the dependency system.

Terry has handled over 50 GAL cases, most ending with returning the children to a parent. Terry currently serves on the Legal Aid Society’s Board of Trustees and Beusse Sanks regularly gives at one of the highest sponsor levels to the Legal Aid Society’s primary fundraising activity, “The Breakfast of Champions.”

In addition to his work as a GAL attorney, Terry has previously worked extensively with Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Inc. (“CCCF”), serving on its Board of Directors for 10 years, 3 of which he served as the chairman of the board of directors. Terry’s tenure as Chairman included the Board transitioning to becoming a giving board.  During this time CCCF gained oversight of a medical respite facility for homeless men and women and added free medical and dental clinics. In addition to assisting CCCF in acquiring and moving into its current headquarters, Terry was also involved with CCCF in establishing its permanent and transitional housing programs for low-income residents as its annual budget grew from $5-6m to $12M+.