Alternative Spring Break is an annual community outreach project facilitated by Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in which law students assist low-income older adults draft advance directive documents.
These include power of attorney, living will, designation of health care surrogate and designation of pre-need guardian.
Each year, students from the University of Florida Levin College of Law take part in Alternative Spring Break. This year, students from Jacksonville University College of Law also participated in the program, which was March 11-14.
Twelve students spent part of their 2024 spring break providing pro bono services including, Ashlyn Freeman, Logan Grutchfield, Alexander Tyler, Matthew Hanuman, Tara Garner, David Safir and Michael Israel from UF and Andrew-Paul Griffis, Casey Shiver, Joe Oliva, Alex Borger and Morgan Miner from JU.
The students began with an orientation Monday at JALA and were given an overview of the importance of civil legal aid from JALA’s President and CEO Jim Kowalski.
Pro bono attorney Rick Stockton of Holland and Knight spoke with the students about the importance of each of the advance directive documents.
Stockton also trained the students on how to draft the advance directives using templates and computer software provided by Holland and Knight.
Tuesday and Wednesday, students were at Cathedral Towers Downtown and Pablo Hamlet in Jacksonville Beach where they counseled residents and drafted their advance directives.
Stockton and volunteer attorneys Ashley Goggins, Pamela Lynde and Isabella Limonta were at the residential facilities to supervise and assist students.
During lunch, the students learned more about the legal field from each attorney.
Alternative Spring Break concluded Thursday with lunch at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse hosted by U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard and U.S. Magistrate Judges Patricia Barksdale and Laura Lothman Lambert.
Students learned from the judges and their law clerks about practicing in federal court, as well as the importance of pro bono work.
Over three days, the students provided services to 30 people, representing about $15,000 in pro bono legal services to those who could not afford to pay for the documents.
Those interested in getting involved with JALA’s Pro Bono Unit may visit jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono/ where you can find volunteer opportunities including cases awaiting placement.
You also may email [email protected] if you have additional questions or interests.