Summer is in full swing and it’s hot.
Hopefully you’ve been able to enjoy some time away from the office with friends and family. Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Unit has been busy this summer with several new outreach projects.
For starters, we have made getting involved with pro bono at JALA easier. Visit jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono and click on “JALA Pro Bono Opportunities.” This will direct you to our new website. All of JALA’s case and noncase-related opportunities are listed for you to view and even sign up.
We are fortunate to have a Client Advisory Board that serves as an advisory committee of non-attorneys. The board’s mission is to provide critical client input and perspective for development of policies, training plans, community education and outreach to JALA’s board of directors, CEO and the Pro Bono Unit.
Based on community input, CAB asked that I host several Saturday Ask-A-Lawyer clinics at locations in North Jacksonville.
On June 22, JALA hosted an Ask-A-Lawyer clinic at the Brentwood Branch Library. This was the first time I hosted an Ask-A-Lawyer at this location, so I had no idea what the public turnout would be.
It turned out to be a busy Saturday. With the help of five volunteer attorneys and five CAB volunteers, we assisted 40 clients.
Our pro bono attorneys were Joshua Terembes, Ashley Goggins, Jacqi Nguyen, Pam Lynde and Jineane McMinn. Our CAB volunteers were Fabian Jackson, Phyllis Maxwell, Patenia Bogan, Patricia Balkcom and Gabbie Jackson.
Although our volunteer attorneys are not expected to accept a case for placement after consulting with a client, several graciously accepted individual cases for representation.
Saying that this clinic was a success is an understatement. More importantly, it shows the ongoing need in our community for this service, which is only made possible through volunteers.
The board likewise asked that I host another Saturday clinic at another Jacksonville public library, so Sept. 28 we will be at the Dallas-Graham Branch Library between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. We previously held a Saturday clinic at this location in 2023, where we provided counsel and advice to 30 people.
I anticipate another busy clinic and we certainly need your help. Please consider signing up for this clinic by visiting the Pro Bono Opportunities website.
The Pro Bono Unit hosted an Advance Directives Clinic on July 19 at Florida Christian Apartments in Murray Hill. This clinic was a collaborative effort with students from Jacksonville University College of Law and volunteer attorneys from the Association of Corporate Counsel.
Students and attorneys drafted powers of attorney, living wills, health care surrogates and pre-need guardians for 14 clients.
Our law student volunteers were John Shiver, Alex Borger, Sierra Vanderkallen and Gabriel Perry, and our volunteer attorneys included Stephanie Waidner, Charles Richardson and Patrick Daven.
These documents are so important to have in place for ourselves and especially our senior community.
I am continually asked to host similar clinics throughout Jacksonville and usually host at least one Advance Drafting Clinic each quarter. At these clinics, clients are scheduled on the hour and their documents are drafted, printed and signed on-site.
The more attorney involvement we have means more clients served. Please consider joining us for one of these drafting clinics. Though helpful, attorneys do not need to be versed in Advance Directives. In fact, we will provide you with training and templates for the clinic.
I encourage you all to consider volunteering for one clinic, even if it is for only an hour. Your legal guidance can make a difference in someone’s life.
Those interested in getting involved with JALA’s Pro Bono Unit may visit www.jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono or contact Aaron Irving at [email protected].