Name: Poppy Decunto
Age: 30
Family: Husband, Mario and two children, Harlow 2 and Charlie 1
Education: Wake Forest University, B.A. in history, 2000; University of Southern California, J.D. 2003
Admitted to the Bar: 2003
Employed by: Durant & Schoeppel
Field of practice: commercial litigation
Professional Organizations: Jacksonville Bar Association, The Florida Bar
Community Involvement: Stanton Rowing Foundation, Board Member and Volunteer for Hubbard House
How did you get involved?
After graduating from college, I was a case manager for Hubbard House prior to beginning law school. Now that I’m an attorney, I’m working with Ana Martinez-Mullen, Specialized Services Coordinator for Hubbard House, to create an attorney referral list so that Advocates at Hubbard House have a resource when one of their clients has a legal issue that needs to be resolved.
Why did you get involved?
One day as a case manager I had a client who couldn’t get a paycheck they were entitled to from their employer. She had tried for days with no results. I contacted Stephen Durant, an attorney in town, who volunteered his time and after a five-minute phone call the employer said my client could pick up her check that day. I realized then how much having an attorney on your side can really help. The individuals who use Hubbard House are generally in crisis. As much as we can have attorneys readily accessible and remove barriers to their getting necessary legal representation, either in family law, criminal law, dependency or anything, they will be safer and more able to leave their abuser.
What have you learned and achieved through the experience?
It’s much harder to find volunteers than you would think. If any attorney would like to be on the referral list, please contact Ana Martinez-Mullen at 904-630-3634 or [email protected] and she can explain what is involved.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
I just finished “City of Thieves” by David Benioff and am currently reading “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson.
If you know a JBA lawyer who is making a contribution to the community outside of their regular practice, you may nominate them for Lawyer Snapshot. Send nominations to: [email protected].