By Michael Figgins
I am employed with one of the oldest law firms in Jacksonville. My irm’s roots go back to the great depression. I am joined by another 25 lawyers at my firm all specializing in varied legal fields. My firm occupies a historic landmark building in Downtown Jacksonville. Many of the leaders of the Jacksonville Bar and members of the Judiciary once were employed by my firm.
Despite the appearance of a high-profile law firm as described above, much of what I do and who I work for is invisible. I work for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA). I do so for many reasons. My reasons are not shared by all. However, I know that most of you are glad that the lawyers at JALA are working hard almost every day to make a difference in the lives of individuals by correcting injustices for children, victims of domestic violence, veterans and the elderly.
I am in the business of providing justice to the poor. As a societal value, “Justice for All” is among our most cherished associations and an integral part of the fabric of our culture.
The culture of justice in Jacksonville is poised between the tipping point and the perfect storm. As a community, Jacksonville can be proud of the support its lawyers provide to JALA in terms of their time and their treasure. JALA asks lawyers to take on a special role in supporting JALA financially because their training and work make them more aware of the critical role of counsel in civil matters. Until the Courts recognize the right to counsel in civil cases as inherent in due process and equal protection, the continued generosity and support of Jacksonville’s lawyers will be key to JALA’s future.
The perfect storm appears on the horizon when one analyzes the support from the Jacksonville Bar. Almost all of JALA’s support comes from 20 percent of the Bar. This 20 percent represents long-established Jacksonville law firms and individual Bar members with a commitment to Justice for All.
Unfortunately, newer firms and even some larger “national” firms have not embraced and supported the efforts of their legal brethren to build JALA’s program capacity.
Most disconcerting is the fact that the young lawyers of Jacksonville are neither giving their time nor treasure to further Jacksonville’s culture of justice. As this scenario plays out and the current generation of Bar leaders hands off the professional responsibility to help others in need, it is my fear that there will be no one to accept this mantle of fairness and that the perfect storm of injustice will howl.
It is my hope that the perfect storm of injustice will turn and spare our community. For this to happen, all lawyers, with a focus on young lawyers, must examine simultaneously whether they value equal justice and the reasons why their time and treasure is not being joined with JALA attorneys and their Bar colleagues to correct injustices.
If every lawyer in Jacksonville would contribute the State Bar recommended amount of $350.00, then JALA could dramatically increase its services. Keep in mind that many give very generous contributions to JALA, yet most give nothing.
If every lawyer in Jacksonville would dedicate 5 percent of his total billable hours to assist JALA attorneys, then JALA could significantly assist more children, victims, veterans and elderly. Again, many Jacksonville attorneys diligently give many pro bono hours, yet most give no time.
In closing, I am confident that the Jacksonville Bar, especially the young lawyers and those who can and need to do more, will come through for JALA, for Jacksonville and for those facing injustice. After all, the Jacksonville Bar has not let this community down in the past, and, if all Bar members can share the responsibility of “Justice for All,” then the tipping point will come down on the side of justice.