Jacksonville Bar Association Law Day Chair Fraz Ahmed
Some of you may be wondering, “What is Law Day?” Some of you may be asking yourselves, “How does Law Day affect me?” Some of you are even about to stop reading. If you do, you will end up missing out on one of the cornerstone events of The Jacksonville Bar Association.
Simply put, “Law Day” is our chance to show Jacksonville citizens our role as a legal community and emphasize our service to them. Our mission is to not only serve our clients, but to serve our community as well. We are here to give voice to those who have fallen victim to predatory lending and the unprecedented foreclosure crisis. We are here to help keep non profit organizations such as Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA), Downtown Ecumenical Services, and Dreams Come True on their feet during these difficult economic times. We are here to ensure that elementary, middle and high school students have positive role models.
To kick off this year’s “Law Day,” Mayor John Peyton will declare April 13 “Law Day” in our city. He will sign a proclamation that highlights the importance of the 52nd anniversary of the national “Law Day.” The Fourth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Donald R. Moran, Jr. will attend the proclamation ceremony in the Mayor’s Office, along with JBA President Daniel Bean, and members of the “Law Day” Committee.
The “Law Day” proclamation will be followed by “National Citizenship Day” April 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Florida Coastal School of Law (FCSL). Through “National Citizenship Day,” we will help members of our community register to become naturalized citizens. A volunteer training meeting for attorneys and law students will be held April 8 from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at FCSL in Room 455. If you have any questions, please contact Vanessa Newtson at [email protected].
Following “National Citizenship Day,” the “Law Day” naturalization ceremony will take place at the Federal Courthouse before the Senior U.S. District Court Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger April 22 at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will begin with the U.S. Navy Color Guard and will be followed by soloist, attorney Andrew Moritz. The keynote speaker is attorney Crystal Freed, with The Freed Law Firm. Following the speaker, a video homage that showcases our beautiful American scenery will be viewed, followed by thoughtful words from President Barack H. Obama.
Also April 22, the JBA Young Lawyers Section and FCSL will host the Second Annual “Rendezvous on the River” charity fundraiser from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at River City Brewing Company. This year’s event will benefit Dreams Come True, a local non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses. All professionals in our community are invited to attend. The cost is $15 per-person and $5 for FCSL students. The event will feature a live band, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a free drink ticket and great drink specials throughout the evening. We will also raffle prizes throughout the evening. All of the proceeds raised will be donated directly to Dreams Come True.
During the last week of April, Bolles and Fletcher High Schools will compete in the “Law Day High School Mock Trial Competition” sponsored by FCSL. This year’s mock trial fact pattern is based upon a criminal case. Spring Park Elementary will compete in an elementary school poster contest. Posters will be displayed throughout the Courthouse, and the winner will be announced at the “Law Day” luncheon.
Working our way into May, the JBA is working with FCSL and JALA to provide free informative “Law for the Layperson” seminars to the public. Topics will include consumer law, family law, bankruptcy, and foreclosures. The seminars will be held through May.
The JBA is also joining forces with the Florida Supreme Court Justice Teaching Volunteers in the Fourth Judicial Circuit to provide presentations to hundreds of students in local elementary, middle and high schools. The presentations will cover a wide variety of topics from the U.S. Constitution and the three branches of government to criminal law cases and current news events. Each presentation will include a question-and-answer session, where students will be encouraged to ask questions and the judges and lawyers will provide entertaining and informative answers.
Additional “Law Day” events include a book and art supply drive to benefit local elementary schools and a toiletries drive to benefit Downtown Ecumenical Services. The collection drive will be held from April 9-30. Collection boxes will be delivered to various law firms around town, as well as City Hall. If you are interested in having a collection box at your firm, please contact Michael Kalil at [email protected]. This year we also kicked off “$10 in 2010” to benefit JALA at the February JBA Luncheon. JALA’s Ribault office, specializing in foreclosure defense, was recently forced to close due to a lack of funding. While existing JALA staff are doing their best to continue meeting the needs previously served by the Ribault office, the closure has left many Jacksonville residents without help. Thank you to all those who donated to this cause.
“Law Day” is only possible due to the endless hours put in by the “Law Day” Committee. Please be sure to thank each of them. Committee members include Brad Blair, Caroline Emery, Christa Figgins, Emily Friend, Lindsay Tygart-Havice, Maggie Jo Hilliard, Michael Kalil, Rohany Karya, Carol Mirando, Michael Lockamy, Shea Moser, Tricia Rado, Lois Ragsdale, Susan Sowards, and Vanessa Newtson. I hope to see each of you at the upcoming events!