The 22nd annual Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Awards Celebration is Sept. 18 at the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s signature annual fundraising event begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
The event features the presentation of the Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Award, named for a former JALA board member and longtime supporter. It is bestowed on a person or organization who has notably promoted the cause of equal justice for low-income residents of Northeast Florida.
The 2024 honoree is the Pajcic & Pajcic law firm, which has raised more than $1 million for JALA since 2012 through its annual Yard Golf & Lawn Party event.
Each year, the Pajcics match 100% of donations, including registrations, hole-in-one winner prizes and sponsorships.
The event encompasses the neighboring yards of Steve Pajcic and Michael Pajcic and his wife, Katy DeBriere. Participants have a chance to win prize money and there’s a celebrity shoot-out, including Jacksonville Jaguar players and former professional golfers.
“The generosity and commitment the Pajcics have shown JALA over more than a decade is positively extraordinary,” JALA CEO Jim Kowalski said. “They have created and grown an event that is not only highly successful as a fundraiser, but also a lot of fun and a chance to rub shoulders with sports celebrities.”
In addition to supporting JALA, the Pajcic family invests in improving the lives of those in the community with a $2 million donation to Edward Waters University and a $1 million dollar endowment to the University of North Florida which has, to date, paid the tuition of more than 90 students.
The Pajcic Firm was founded 50 years ago by brothers Steve and the late Gary Pajcic. Steve’s son Michael and Gary’s sons Curt, Curry, and Seth are partners in the firm today.
Visit https://www.jaxlegalaid.org/equal-justice-awards-register/ for ticket information. All donations support the work of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.