by Tammy Taylor
Staff Writer
January marked the beginning of the 4th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Competition.
Four law firms formed teams, earning approximately 32 total hours of pro bono work for the month of January.
A firm’s team can be composed of any number of “players.” Points are earned each month by dividing the total number of pro bono hours worked by the number of players on the team.
“This is a way to recognize to the community that lawyers are prosperous and that some are giving back,” said Jessie Harrell, a 4th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono committee member and attorney with Foley & Lardner. “Of course, the real winners are not the members of any given team, but those members of our community who benefit from the able services of all the lawyers who have so graciously given their time.”
Although only four law firms reported hours in January, the Pro Bono Committee has 18 teams interested in the competition.
“We are a little disappointed,” said Harrell, “but we are just getting started.”
Harrell said the low participation may be because January is the end of the fiscal year for many firms.
“Many firms are pushing to get in billable hours,” said Harrell. “We expect participation to be higher in the upcoming months.
The winner will receive a trophy at the Jacksonville Bar Association Law Day Luncheon in May. After the first phase, the award will be given annually.
Here are the standings for the month of January:
Foley & Lardner 14.7 hours
Harris, Guidi, Rosner, et al. 10.0
Liles, Gavin, et al. 3.7
Holland & Knight 3.65
The winner of 4th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Competition will receive this trophy.