A new year means new opportunities. In 2023, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s monthly clinics and outreach events were in full swing.
As it was my first full calendar year as JALA’s director of pro bono, I was unsure which clinics would be a success and equally unsure which should continue in 2024.
Thankfully, each clinic and outreach event proved to be a success.
Several Ask-A-Lawyer clinics were so well attended by the public that we did not have enough attorneys available to provide brief counsel and advice. This demonstrates the ongoing community need for these services and more importantly, the need for pro bono attorney involvement.
In 2024, we will continue to host all the same monthly clinics that we held last year. These clinics won’t be a success without attorney volunteers.
One of JALA’s most successful clinics is the Veterans Legal Collaborative held at the Veterans Administration Clinic Downtown. This clinic takes place 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Friday of each month when volunteer attorneys provide one-on-one brief counsel and advice to members of the active-duty military and veteran community.
Although not required, we encourage attorneys to consider accepting a case for pro bono representation.
Similarly, JALA hosts an Ask-A-Lawyer Clinic every other month. The next clinic is scheduled 5:30-7 p.m. March 12 at the Orange Park Library and we need attorneys to staff the clinic.
This is an easy way to be engaged in the community and obtain pro bono hours.
In collaboration with the Northeast Florida Women’s Veterans Center, JALA will host a “Will and Advance Directives” clinic for women veterans interested in having estate planning documents drafted. We anticipate holding this clinic on a Saturday later this month or in March and although a time for this clinic has not been set, we are seeking attorney interest.
At this clinic, attorneys will meet with individual clients and draft their estate planning documents.
Not only can JALA provide templates for use at this clinic, you also are completely covered under JALA’s malpractice insurance.
For those with limited experience in this area of law, we can provide training materials before the clinic. Additionally, expert attorneys will be at the clinic to answer questions.
During the week of March 11, JALA will have its annual “Alternative Spring Break” when law students from the University of Florida and Jacksonville University provide pro bono service in lieu of vacationing on the beach.
During Alternative Spring Break, students will not only receive training on how to draft advance directives and then consult with clients and draft documents at several senior citizen residential centers throughout Jacksonville.
Attorneys can be involved by being on-site during this clinic and serving as both a supervising attorney and an expert resource for the students.
This is another way to complete your pro bono hours and it is helpful for the students to meet and learn from licensed members of the Bar.
Several of our clinics will continue to take place remotely via Zoom or by telephone.
The Eviction Defense Self Help Clinic will continue every Wednesday afternoon by phone with set appointments.
On the second and fourth Thursdays of every month, JALA hosts its Family Law Clinic via Zoom where a volunteer attorney will speak to attendees regarding child support, custody, timesharing and paternity, as well as divorce.
On the first Thursday of each month, people wishing to learn more about bankruptcy may attend the Zoom Bankruptcy Clinic.
These clinics are not the only ways to be involved. I encourage you to visit jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono/ where you can view all of the cases awaiting placement with a pro bono attorney.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of our events or clinics, contact [email protected].
You can make a difference by taking one case or dedicating one day or evening assisting those in need.