Samantha Howell | Three Rivers Legal Services
As we move into the holiday season, it is a good time to reflect on our individual bounties, our successes and failures and to build inspiration for the new year.
I am grateful for my family and friends who lovingly put up with me and all of my silliness, including my recent obsession with camping.
I am grateful for my health, which took a very serious hit last year, and my fur babies who continue to tolerate my presence.
I am grateful for my job and colleagues who have become wonderful friends and mentors.
A wise person once said that saying your goals out loud creates accountability and helps you achieve success.
My goal for 2023 is to have an additional 10% of attorneys in Duval County commit to taking one pro bono referral from Three Rivers Legal Services.
Fortunately, there are many pro bono opportunities available.
Telephonic Housing Clinic
This advice-only clinic is offered every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Appointments are scheduled for 45 minutes.
Three Rivers staff screen and schedule clients, notifying volunteers of their assignments on the Friday (or Monday) before the clinic.
Volunteer attorneys complete an online form after the clinic so that we know what advice was given and whether further consultation by staff is needed. This is the easiest way for you to assist your community.
Pro Se Divorce Clinics
The next clinic will be offered at the TRLS Jacksonville office from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Nov. 21.
Volunteers will guide participants through the pro se divorce packet for those with minor children.
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., volunteers will guide participants seeking a simplified divorce or filing for divorce without minor children.
Three Rivers staff will be present to assist and notarize documents.
We also need an attorney who speaks Spanish to assist some of the clients.
Finally, you can take on a client matter for limited scope or full representation in a variety of areas including bankruptcy, special education, family, housing/property, consumer, income maintenance and trusts and estates.
We are in particular need of attorneys to assist with probate cases, guardianship and guardian advocacy and landlord/tenant matters.
As attorneys, we are encouraged to provide at least 20 hours of pro bono service each year. Volunteering with Three Rivers is an easy way to take care of this duty while meeting colleagues and learning more about our client communities.
It is also an effective way to dip your toes into a new area of law.
If you have any questions or would like to participate, contact me at [email protected] or 352-415-2315. You also can select an available case and learn more about TRLS’s Pro Bono Legal Assistance Program at https://www.trls.org/volunteer/
