by Kathy Para
JBA Pro Bono Committee Chair
Attorney Jim Francis is a business owner and doesn’t work in a law firm delivering direct legal services to clients. So, years ago, when he decided to do pro bono work for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Clay County office, he told managing attorney Gloria Einstein that he wanted to assist clients with commercial legal issues that may be a bit complex and challenging.
“Typically, I’ve taken commercial cases in which the legal issue may have even been unclear at the outset,” said Francis.
“The cases have involved issues where the clients were treated unfairly or were taken advantage of by larger, more powerful entities. I was able to help the client by raising valid commercial issues with the goal of achieving an improved result for the client,” he said.
“I have to say that the client’s financial result has not always been what I’d have hoped, but what the clients have had is someone standing with them. Too often, low-income clients don’t have an advocate, so at least our clients have felt protected,” said Francis. “Our laws and our judicial system do not work well for people who have few resources, even with the assistance of skilled lawyers. This reality becomes glaringly apparent in the midst of the representation.”
“What Jim adds to the success of our pro bono program cannot be underestimated,” said Einstein.
“He just doesn’t back down. He’s been able to stabilize families in foreclosure and, in general, level the playing field for people who can’t afford to pay an attorney,” she said.
“He’s been true to his initial request and has accepted the complex cases over and over again.”
In fact, pro bono is not new to Francis. In 2007, he received the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
“Lawyers who volunteer with JALA gain knowledge and experience in areas not generally practiced by most lawyers and an appreciation for what many people in our community face when large, well-funded organizations take aggressive positions against people with few resources,” said Francis.
Attorneys willing to review pro bono cases for representation are encouraged to contact Kathy Para, Pro Bono Development Coordinator for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, at [email protected].