At the annual World of Nations events, attendees have the opportunity to take a quick trip around the world.
There is something for everyone, from sampling international cuisine to watching traditional dances to playing with toys from faraway places.
On May 2 and 3, lawyers from the Jacksonville Asian American Bar Association joined forces with volunteers from The Vietnamese Association of Jacksonville and its Vicinities to offer an Ask-A-Lawyer opportunity at World of Nations.
Nhat Nguyen, vice president of the association, worked with Art Stresing, president of JAABA, to make the opportunity available.
Pro bono attorneys from JAABA were there to field legal questions and provide direction to additional resources in the community.
“In Jacksonville we enjoy a rich diversity of people from nations around the globe,” Stresing said. “World of Nations is a celebration of our many cultures. It was a privilege for us to partner with the Vietnam contingent to provide pro bono legal guidance in the context of this great community event.”
In addition to Stresing, the pro bono attorneys included Jessica Narducci, Nicole Liu, Jo-Anne Yau, Brian Hayden and Michael Barbieri.
Their service went beyond answering legal questions, to offering Florida Bar brochures on a variety of topics and providing information on other free and low-cost legal services.
Ask-A-Lawyer events are held quarterly and are typically on a Saturday morning in various areas of the city.
The effort at World of Nations was a little different and offered pro bono attorneys on-site during the weekend to provide legal guidance within their respective areas of practice and direction to additional resources.
The goal of every Ask-A-Lawyer is to take information and guidance directly to members of our community who may not otherwise be able access the expertise of an attorney.
We know that, as attorneys, we don’t always tell people what they want to hear. However, with the belief that knowledge is power, we know that with sound information and direction, people are better equipped to get the help they need and/or resolve their matters themselves.
Attorneys interested in pro bono opportunities throughout the 4th Judicial Circuit are encouraged to contact Kathy Para, chair of The JBA Pro Bono Committee at [email protected].