Name: Rebecca Caballero
Age: 33
Family: Husband, Nelson; and two beautiful children: Alejandro and Micaela
Pets: A mini schnauzer named Greta
Education: Bishop Kenny, 1995; Stetson University, B.A. and B.S., 1999; University of Florida, M.A., 2002, and J.D., 2005.
Admitted to the Bar: 2006
Employed by: Sole practitioner
Field of practice: Immigration and family law
Professional organizations: The Jacksonville Bar Association; American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Community involvement: I was the presenter for Jacksonville’s Citizenship Day (an annual naturalization event) in 2008, 2010 and 2011, and I’ve also participated in the event itself as a volunteer. I am the new co-chair of The JBA’s Immigration Section, along with Vanessa Zamora Newtson. I participate in the “Ask-A-Lawyer” events, where members of the community can come out on a Saturday morning and have a brief consultation about a legal matter with an attorney. In the past, when JALA had immigration intake nights, I volunteered as an intake attorney. I handle pro bono cases from JALA. I’ve been a guest speaker to different classes and student groups at Florida Coastal. I’ve also been a panelist for career services events at Florida Coastal and served as a judge for a poster contest. I served as the essay contest coordinator for AILA’s Central Florida chapter in 2008-09. I was on the alumni board program committee and a panelist on the immigration law panel at the 2011 Latin American Studies conference at the University of Florida. I’m on the inaugural board of directors of the newly formed Northeast Florida Immigrant Alliance. I also just signed up to be a volunteer at my son’s school and will get to read to his class in a few weeks!
How did you get involved?
Generally, it involved somebody asking me to volunteer my time. There are so many worthy causes in need of volunteers, and it’s hard to say no!
How can someone else get involved?
If you’d like to volunteer within the legal field, contact Kathy Para at JALA. She does a great job at coordinating the pro bono department there. Otherwise, there are many agencies, churches, schools and other places that are always looking for volunteers. Just find something that you care about, and volunteer your time. I know it can be difficult to find the extra time to volunteer, but that’s the beauty of it — you can pick and choose the causes you want to support and the time you are able to do it!
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
I have been volunteering for as long as I can remember, so I think it’s safe to say I must get something out of it! I’ve done everything from teaching English to farmworkers in a field to mentoring young children in schools. I think that volunteering and community involvement often rewards the giver as much as the receiver.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
Probably “Shaken and Stirred: The Feminism of James Bond.” A friend of mine from law school wrote it and sent me an autographed copy.