from staff
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is sponsoring its first continuing law education course in Mental Health Awareness.
The Mental Health Awareness & Ethics CLE, for 3.5 ethics credits, is April 25 at the Main Library’s auditorium from 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
“Attorneys will not only be learning valuable information about an important topic and earn ethics credits that we all need as lawyers, they will also be helping JALA because all registration fees generated by the course will support the organization,” said Christa Figgins, JALA’s Development Director.
JALA has assembled a group of speakers for the class who have generously donated their time. The group includes: Sheriff John Rutherford; Dr. Tonia Werner, Director of Psychiatry, University of Florida Medical School; Duval County Public Defender Bill White; and attorney Elizabeth Clark Tarbert, Ethics Counsel for The Florida Bar.
The panel will address topics including types of mental disorders, public policy proposals for dealing with the mentally ill in the criminal justice system, civil rights issues and attorney ethics and professional responsibility.
JALA’s tradition of serving the mentally ill began eight years ago through the generous support of local attorney Wayne Hogan and his wife Pat, a licensed mental health counselor, who established JALA’s Mental Health Advocacy Project. Over the years the Hogan Family Foundation has helped The Mental Health Advocacy Project assist more than 1,000 adults with mental health problems obtain SSI, social security, disability and healthcare benefits, consumer referrals and assistance with other legal problems such as landlord-tenant disputes.
“Through the support and vision of the Hogans, JALA has provided a safety net for mentally ill people on the First Coast, keeping them in their homes, off the streets and out of jail,” said Michael Figgins, JALA’s Executive Director.
The CLE course was conceived by JALA Board President, Chad Roberts.
“Subjects like mental illness and substance abuse awareness are core issues related to JALA’s mission,” said Roberts. “Providing The Florida Bar’s mandatory CLE hours in these subject areas is a win-win for both JALA and also the attorneys who support JALA. We are pleased to create this opportunity for the legal community to support JALA and for JALA to provide them something of value in return.”
The cost of the course is $195 and there is a special registration fee of $75 for Legal Aid/Services, Public Defenders, State Attorneys and the Office of the General Counsel. Registration will count towards a law firm’s participation in JALA’s 100 percent Participation Club. Registration may be done online at www.jaxlegalaid.org or by contacting Christa Figgins at 356-8371, ext. 316 or [email protected].