by David Ball
Staff Writer
Jacksonville attorney, Florida Bar Foundation fellow and former Jacksonville Bar Association President Joseph Milton had a little wager with a colleague in Sarasota to see who could increase fellowships more in their respective communities.
Six months later, Milton announced to a group of fellows and guests at the University Club last week that Jacksonville fellowship increased from 62 to 157 members, while Sarasota fellowship increased from 42 to 57.
“I said we would beat them by the end of the year, and now they can’t even see our taillights they are so far behind,” said Milton. “So tonight is a big thank you to the Jacksonville legal community for really responding to our request to become more involved in the Florida Bar Foundation.”
The mission of The Florida Bar Foundation, a charitable organization established in 1956 by Florida lawyers and the Supreme Court of Florida, is to provide greater access to justice and financial support for legal aid and the civil legal needs of the poor.
Attorneys can become fellows by committing to donate $200 a year for five years to the Foundation’s endowment trust, which supports the legal services and programs.
“It’s some of the best money I’ve ever spent,” said Milton, who has been a fellow for 25 years.
However, Milton said of the 80,000 lawyers in Florida, only 1,600 are Bar Foundation fellows, and that’s something that needs to be improved.
“I think a lot of it is lack of information,” he said. “I can’t help to think that most lawyers would respond if they knew what it was and what the foundation does for the people of the state.”
Milton said the response shown by the Jacksonville legal community in increasing fellowship shows a dedication that is unique across the state.
“There is always a response without ever wanting anything back,” he said. “I would put Jacksonville’s leadership up against anywhere in the country for rallying people to a great cause.”