By Donny MacKenzie
Partner, Holland & Knight and past president of The Florida Bar Foundation
Hurricanes have recently disrupted most of our lives. Many of us are fortunate to have either avoided total disaster or have the resources to fend for ourselves and our families.
Millions of Americans, however, face trying times and significant challenges. Our neighbors in Southwest Florida still are digging out, and our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico are struggling to survive. Thousands of them are relocating to Florida, at least temporarily, with some likely to stay permanently.
Legal help and guidance is a critical component to confronting and overcoming disaster-related challenges and setbacks, just as it is with other crises people face.
For instance, people can be wrongfully denied insurance benefits and need help with their appeals. Inevitably, some will be denied federal disaster relief because of missing or destroyed documents and paperwork they don’t know how to replace.
Others may be taken advantage of by unscrupulous landlords, scammed by phony contractors or unable to collect paychecks or monthly retirement benefits from affected businesses. Storm survivors may also need assistance with custody issues, school transfers, or veterans benefits after being dislocated.
Given the current state of affairs, it is appropriate that we observe Pro Bono Week through Saturday.
The term “pro bono” is derived from the Latin pro bono publico, which means “for the public good.” Now observed globally, Pro Bono Week shines a spotlight on those lawyers who donate their time to support the community.
Along with thousands of attorneys throughout Florida, I recognize that we have an obligation to our profession, our community and our system of justice, built on the Rule of Law whose bedrock is a commitment that justice should be available to everyone, not just those who can afford to hire a lawyer.
Moreover, many of us strive to be the voice of those who either don’t speak the language of law or those who have no advocate. Many good people are vulnerable, particularly when it comes to protecting themselves against economic predators who target the elderly, the unwary, disabled and disadvantaged.
The sad reality is that even before the recent hurricanes and resulting distress, Florida’s justice system was and remains overwhelmed by too many people needing access to justice and too few resources. In Florida, we are fortunate that we have a new tool for matching pro bono lawyers with people in need of civil legal help.
A new website, FloridaProBonoMatters.org, recently launched by The Florida Bar Foundation, is the nation’s first online platform that enables attorneys to search for cases in their preferred area of expertise across multiple legal aid and pro bono programs.
This program harnesses technology and significantly streamlines the process of getting people the help they need more quickly and efficiently.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid has many cases posted on the site waiting for the right attorney, who can sign up online. It is one more step being taken to address the unmet legal needs of Floridians, but more needs to be done.
A good start in that direction is for Florida’s business and community leaders to realize that pro bono and legal aid is good for business. While it is sometimes counter-intuitive, experience and studies bear out that legal aid assistance actually results in positive economic impacts to the community.
A recent study funded by The Florida Bar Foundation shows that for every $1 invested in civil legal assistance, the state sees a $7 return in economic benefit.
In simple terms, keeping a veteran in his or her home avoids foreclosure and usually keeps a family intact while allowing breadwinners to keep their jobs. Helping people hold onto their homes and their jobs retains taxpayers and raises property values. Neighborhood property values and resulting property taxes are higher in neighborhoods with lower foreclosure rates. And people who work also pay taxes and spend more money in their communities.
While we celebrate volunteer legal service this week, we should applaud attorneys and others who give their time and talents every day of every week of the year for the cause of justice. We should take a moment this week to reflect on how each of us can do our part in preserving every American’s inviolate right to be heard as we aspire toward equal justice for all under the law.