Pro bono spotlight: Attorneys get to share great news at Ask-A-Lawyer


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  • | 12:00 p.m. September 26, 2016
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Alessandro Apolito is a regular volunteer at the quarterly Jacksonville Bar Association Ask-A-Lawyer events.

On Sept. 17, he was the bearer of great news for his first interviewee — a woman asking about a note and mortgage that had been in default since 2007.

After the dismissal of a foreclosure action against her, she expected the lender would refile. But it never did.

After her husband’s death this year, she again worried the lender would foreclose. But it didn’t happen.

Then came the great news from Apolito: The statute of limitations had run out on both the note and the mortgage.

As a result, the woman will be able to request a release from the loan documents and no longer have to live in fear of foreclosure.

Apolito said the woman is only the second person in his career with whom he’s been able to share that news.

“What great news to be able to deliver to someone,” he said.

Another attendee drove from another county, arriving at 7:30 a.m. although the event didn’t start until 9 a.m.

“I wanted to do everything I could to ensure that I could speak to an attorney,” the man said.

He also received good news. The probate action needed on his grandmother’s estate would be simple to complete and the attorney he spoke with agreed to assist him.

Over and over again, the volunteer attorneys received expressions of gratitude and appreciation.

“I know what to do now.”

“Things aren’t as bad as I thought.”

“What you’re doing here is very important.”

Eight attorneys, four law students and two advisory board volunteers gathered to provide brief counsel for 32 people at Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Downtown campus.

Attorneys advised in the areas of family law, probate, guardianship, criminal law, bankruptcy, collections, foreclosure, contracts, real estate, landlord/tenant, immigration and personal injury.

Spanish speakers were available to provide translation.

In addition to Apolito, attorneys who volunteered were Edith Jones, Carrington Mead, Joe Scone, Andrea Reyes, Karen Winston, Laura Gapske and Enrique Barquinero.

Florida Coastal School of Law students Andrew Reed, Chris Brady, Brian Hart and Ashley Winston provided administrative assistance and observed the consultations.

Phyllis Maxwell and Brian Jones, volunteers with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Client Advisory Board, were there to sign in attendees and answer general questions.

Attendees may be referred to JALA, the JBA Lawyer Referral Service, Three Rivers Legal Services and/or to a community service agency.

The quarterly events are made possible through the collaboration of the JBA, The D.W. Perkins Bar Association, Florida Coastal, JALA and the City Council.

The year’s final Ask-A-Lawyer will be 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 3 at the Johnson Family YMCA on Cleveland Road.

Attorneys interested in pro bono opportunities should contact Para at [email protected].

 

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