More than 650 people rebuilding their lives have been counseled, and, in many cases, represented by attorneys who are members of the local chapter of the Christian Legal Society.
In addition to prayer meetings, Bible study and fellowship, the society members since 2001 have provided free legal services to participants in City Rescue Mission’s LifeBuilders Addiction Recovery Program.
Attorney Blane McCarthy, one of the project’s founders, has been one of the most consistent contributors of time and talent. In recognition of that, he will receive The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the 4th Judicial Circuit.
In his letter to McCarthy, Gregory Coleman, The Florida Bar president, wrote, “The time and professional expertise you have contributed in making legal representation available to those otherwise unable to afford it serve as an example of our profession at its best.”
Angela Cook, workforce development manager at the mission, has a shorter summary. “It has been a blessing,” she said.
In addition to counseling, mentoring, job and life skills training, many people in the program need legal advice. Some even need to be represented by an attorney to resolve financial and domestic relations issues and criminal charges.
Society members visit the mission’s campus every 10 weeks and provide their services free of charge to those in LifeBuilders.
The attorneys’ contributions also benefit the local legal aid effort, since people helped by society members don’t become clients of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.
“It’s an extra team of attorneys,” said Kathy Para, JALA’s pro bono director. “To have that team out there doing that work is a wonderful service to the community and an asset to JALA.”
Attorney Chris Hazelip for years has participated alongside McCarthy in the project. He said the recognition for the program’s “quiet and humble leader” is well-deserved.
“Blane was always the driving force. Here’s a guy who has a vision for his faith — to do what you can for the marginalized in our society,” Hazelip said. “It’s an application of what Jesus taught and Blane has done it week after week, year after year.”
While McCarthy has personally represented about 125 LifeBuilders students, he is quick to give credit to the society’s members and more than 50 students from Florida Coastal School of Law who donated their time over the past 13 years.
The award, he said, is recognition of what the program has accomplished and the opportunity for faithful service it represents.
“I am most proud that this ministry has been a vehicle that allowed lawyers who otherwise might not have gotten into pro bono to have gotten involved,” he said.
McCarthy will receive the award Jan. 29 in Tallahassee.
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