by Dan Bean, Jacksonville Bar Association president
When my children and I pulled up to the northwest residence of our Holiday Project senior citizen on Christmas Eve, there was little doubt in my mind that each of us realized, once again, how fortunate we were to have what we have. Certainly it was a trying year for all of us; however, through it all we remained thankful for what we had and the opportunities that will undoubtedly present themselves in the future. We know we are blessed and that is one of the reasons why we have annually participated in the Holiday Project for the past decade. We value the opportunity to give back and this year was no exception.
“Are those all for me?” our senior citizen inquired through her ripped screened window as my children walked toward her door with their arms loaded with gifts and food.
“Yes they are,” my daughter proudly responded.
Our senior citizen could not have exited her home any quicker as she greeted us with a warm smile and one big hug. Her smile grew as we loaded her arms with her new gifts and helped her navigate her way back inside her home. She continued to voice her appreciation from inside her home, and as we walked toward our car, I took great pride that this moment had played itself out almost 400 other times that week as other Jacksonville legal professionals, some with the assistance of The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, brought a little Holiday cheer to those in need.
The Holiday Project was merely one of multiple outreach events Jacksonville lawyers completed this year that brought assistance to those in need in our Community. This fall Jacksonville lawyers participated in two Ask-a-Lawyer Programs that assisted over 100 Jacksonville citizens. The Ask-a-Lawyer Program, which was started with the assistance of City Council Vice President and JBA member Jack Webb, is run in conjunction with a City Council member at a location of their choosing on a Saturday morning.
We bring about 15 Jacksonville lawyers to Downtown locations who proceed to meet individually with fellow citizens on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m.-noon. The Jacksonville lawyers answer questions within their specific legal expertise and never fail to provide each individual with some answers and, perhaps more importantly, some relief. We have worked with Council member Dr. John Gaffney, Council member Reginald Brown and At-Large Council member Glorious Johnson, all of whom could not have been happier that their constituents were being assisted.
I have no doubt that Jacksonville lawyers are making a positive difference in the lives of those individuals who have participated in the Ask-a-Lawyer program and we look forward to repeating this program many times over in the spring.
In addition to the two Ask-a-Lawyer events, Jacksonville lawyers this fall also assisted with U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns’ two mortgage foreclosure events. Specifically, in October 2009 Jacksonville lawyers assisted Congressman Stearns in two separate foreclosure events in his district and met individually with over 280 homeowners facing foreclosure. Over 20 Jacksonville lawyers participated in these two events and provided the participants with invaluable information regarding foreclosure issues.
Moreover, during the past 12 months, The Jacksonville Bar Association and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid educated, in day long events, nearly 200 Jacksonville lawyers on foreclosure issues and many of them have taken on pro bono cases under the direction of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. Jacksonville lawyers were, and continue to be, part of the Florida Attorneys Saving Home project, which assists homeowners with foreclosure issues pre-suit. Lastly, other Jacksonville lawyers are working in support of the Florida Supreme Court Foreclosure Task Force on which the Florida Supreme Court recently published an opinion that will significantly impact how residential foreclosures proceed in the future.
The total value of these efforts to Jacksonville citizens is substantial both in terms of assisting them with solving their specific legal issue as well as in terms of a financial contribution to the community.
It also makes me incredibly proud of my profession to witness these substantial acts of kindness performed by Jacksonville lawyers. While I realize the reputation of the legal profession has suffered over the past couple of decades, it is acts like those mentioned above that go a very long way in restoring that reputation. It also makes me realize that it was a great year to be a Jacksonville lawyer.
Happy New Year!