by Kathy Para
JBA Pro Bono Committee Chair
Imagine the impact we could make if every attorney took just one pro bono case a year. That single contribution could drastically reduce the enormous backlog of pro bono cases and significantly improve access to justice for all Florida residents. Find out what the Florida Supreme Court’s One Campaign is all about by viewing the seven-minute video at www.onepromiseflorida.org.
This year, offer your legal expertise to at least one low-income client by contacting one of these legal services organizations. Be the one for a client in need.
Guardian Ad Litem
When you volunteer with the Guardian ad Litem Program for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, you become a voice for a child in dependency court. Other pro bono opportunities with the GAL Program include assisting the GAL Program using your area of expertise, including special education, probate, guardianship, appeals, or immigration. Training is available. Contact Hilary Creary, Esq, Circuit Director, [email protected], for more information on pro bono opportunities.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA)
JALA is a mid-sized law firm specializing in providing civil legal assistance to low-income persons. Requests for services are at critical levels. Pro bono attorneys are urgently needed to represent clients in a single legal matter. Attorneys specify practice areas and review cases prior to acceptance. Professional liability insurance is provided. Contact Kathy Para, Esq., Pro Bono Development Coordinator, [email protected], for more information on CLE training available and all pro bono opportunities.
Family Law attorneys and paralegals are needed to assist victims of domestic violence prepare pro se divorce documents. Missing Links meets once a month in the evening. For more information contact co-founder, Marla Buchanan, Esq., for schedule and location details at [email protected]
Pro bono attorneys are needed to serve as Special Assistant Public Defenders (SAPD) representing clients in misdemeanor cases in criminal court. Training and support is provided. SAPDs help a low-income client seek justice allowing staff attorneys more time to focus on the thousands of cases they already handle. Contact Cynthia Hunold, Director of the County Court Unit, [email protected], for information on training and opportunities.