by David Chapman
Staff Writer
As part of its annual Equal Justice Awards reception, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid presents the Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Award to an individual or firm that has provided extraordinary legal assistance to low-income people over the past year.
This year it won’t be awarded to an individual or a firm.
Instead, it will be given to The Jacksonville Bar Association.
Christa Figgins, JALA development director, said The JBA’s overall pro bono efforts and availability of its members along with its undertaking of the administration of the Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program for the Fourth Judicial Circuit were overwhelming factors that strengthened the bond between the two organizations.
“The relationship between The JBA and JALA has become extremely strong,” said Figgins. “It has really ramped up the pro bono cause.”
Figgins praised the work of The JBA executive director Susan Sowards, JBA Pro Bono Committee Chair Kathy Para, JBA President Courtney Grimm and JBA immediate past President Dan Bean, among others, for their work and advocacy in “really making pro bono take off” over the past year.
“They’re really put forth a herculean effort,” said Figgins.
The JBA was awarded the right to administer the Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program as outlined by a Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order earlier this year, which allows it to assist communications between lenders and borrowers to resolve foreclosure disputes.
“They built it from the ground up,” said Figgins.
Sowards, Bean and Grimm will accept the award at the Nov. 30 annual reception at The River Club.
“We’re extremely excited and appreciative of the recognition,” said Grimm.
Grimm discussed The JBA’s efforts to revive the Pro Bono Committee under Bean’s leadership and the goal to increase and advocate pro bono opportunities to all of The JBA’s members beyond the annual “Pro Bono Week” in October.
“Ask-A-Lawyer” events, pro bono work with the Public Defender’s Office and foreclosure mediation efforts are just a few ways Grimm said The JBA and its members have worked to make a difference.
Figgins said the effort has paid off, with more than a 950 percent increase in cases taken and the availability of attorneys.
“It’s unreal,” said Figgins. “There is such a symbiotic relationship there with pro bono.”
Numerous members of the JALA staff, attorneys and other firms will be honored during the event for their efforts, including those firms that achieved 100 percent pro bono participation.
The keynote speaker for the evening will be Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, whose resume includes being American Bar Association past president, Florida State University past president, FSU College of Law dean and a former state representative.
Invitations to the event will begin arriving in early November to those who have donated monetary or pro bono efforts to JALA within the last year, said Figgins.
For more information about Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, visit www.jaxlegalaid.org.
356-2466