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National “Celebrate Pro Bono Week” is planned Oct. 23-29. The Pro Bono Committee of The Jacksonville Bar Association will serve as the coordinating group for local efforts.
Agencies and organizations that serve low-income clients with legal services are invited to help plan and to participate.
These include:
• The Fourth Circuit Pro Bono Committee
• Florida Coastal School of Law
• Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
• The Jacksonville Bar Association Pro Bono Committee
• Guardian ad Litem
• The Law Offices of the Public Defender Matt Shirk
• Three Rivers Legal Services
• Area law firms
Among the local events planned:
• Sept. 30, noon: The Jacksonville Bar Association luncheon, Hyatt Downtown. It will include a mayoral proclamation presentation and the Pro Bono Opportunities Fair. Agencies providing legal services to low-income clients will have information tables and displays. Attorneys will have the opportunity to review case summaries, accept pro bono cases and learn about the pro bono opportunities to serve low-income and underserved people in the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
• After Sept. 30: Litigating Garnishment Exemption webinar recorded and available for support of pro bono attorneys. CLE training taught by Laura Boeckman. Webinar is free and participants are asked to accept at
least one pro bono case within a year of viewing the webinar. To request materials, email Kathy Para, 356-8371, ext. 363, or [email protected]
• Oct. 1, 9 a.m.-noon: Military Reservists Wills and Advance Directives Pro Bono Project. Pro bono attorneys, paralegals and Florida Coastal School of Law students team up to create advance directives and simple wills for military reservists. Attorneys interested in participating should contact Para.
• Oct. 1, 6 p.m.: Guardian ad Litem, Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. For more information, contact Hilary Creary, Circuit Director, Guardian ad Litem, 630-1200.
• Oct. 6, 5:30-8:30 p.m.: Florida Bar Business Law Section, Nonprofit Organizations Legal Services Forum, Florida Coastal School of Law. Transactional attorneys will consult with local nonprofit organizations regarding legal matters in the areas of contracts, employment, incorporation and real estate. For more information, contact Sheila Meehan, Florida Legal Services, [email protected].
• Oct. 8, 9 a.m.-noon: Senior Citizens Wills and Advance Directives Pro Bono Project, Pablo Hamlet Residential Center. Pro bono attorneys, paralegals and Florida Coastal law students create advance documents for low-income senior citizens. Attorneys interested in serving should contact Para.
• Oct. 11, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Webinar Training and Support for Pro Bono Attorneys – Credit Card Collection Defense. CLE training webinar for pro bono attorneys, taught by Jim Kowalski. The webinar is free and participants are asked to accept at least one pro bono case within a year of viewing CLE. To register, contact Para.
• Oct. 12, noon-1 p.m.: Webinar Training and Support for Pro Bono Attorneys – Durable Powers of Attorney, Change in Florida Law. CLE training webinar for pro bono attorneys, taught by Robert Morgan. The webinar is free of charge and participants are asked to accept at least one pro bono case within a year of viewing CLE. Contact Para.
• Oct. 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: JALAween and Haunted Happy Hour – The Annual JALA Open House and Reception. Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, 126 W. Adams St., will host an open house and reception to thank pro bono attorneys, supporters and others and to provide information about civil legal services for low-income people. For information, contact Para.
• Oct. 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Florida Coastal School of Law, Fall Forum of Pro Bono and Volunteer Opportunities. Legal Services organizations and other community resource providers are invited to set up displays and distribute information about volunteer and pro bono opportunities for students and attorneys. Lunch will be provided. For information, contact Karen Millard, Florida Coastal School of Law, [email protected].
• Oct. 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Florida Coastal School of Law, Giving Back Day. Law students will volunteer in legal services organizations and other nonprofits around the Fourth Judicial Circuit to assist with needs identified by agency staff from law-related projects to painting to moving furniture to tutoring students. Organizations interested in law student assistance on Giving Back Day should contact Millard.
• Oct. 28, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Webinar Training and Support for Pro Bono Attorneys - Driver’s License Reinstatement. CLE training webinar for pro bono attorneys, taught by Satasha Williston. The webinar is free and participants are asked to accept at least one pro bono case within a year of viewing CLE. Contact Para.
• Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-noon: The JBA Ask-A-Lawyer Forum and Florida One-to-One Event, Johnson Family YMCA. Sponsored by The JBA Pro Bono Committee, and staffed by pro bono attorneys, Ask-A-Lawyer forums are held in collaboration with members of the Jacksonville City Council.
Also in October, the Public Defender’s Office will present Pro Bono Opportunities Criminal Law Training on a Friday and will feature five separate CLE courses about different aspects of criminal law. Upon completion of the training session, participants will be appointed as Special Assistant Public Defenders and become eligible for a later assignment to one misdemeanor case. For information, contact Cynthia Hunold at 630-1578 or [email protected].
Also in November, Foreclosure Defense and Consumer Rights Training will be presented for pro bono attorneys at Florida Coastal School of Law. The seminar will be taught by April Charney. For information, contact Atheia Inman, training coordinator, [email protected].