The JBA Pro Bono Committee Chairwoman
A two-part CLE training series being offered this fall for local pro bono attorneys could make a big difference for Northeast Florida residents facing difficulties in finding employment.
The two training sessions, “Driver’s License Reinstatement” and “Sealing and Expunging Records,” are part of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s webinar series for pro bono attorneys: “Employability: Eliminating Barriers to Employment.”
The first session, being taught by attorney Satasha Williston, “Driver’s License Reinstatement” will be a two-hour webinar and will be presented live from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 28.
The process of getting a client’s driver’s license reinstated will be reviewed. It can be a complicated process riddled with potential pitfalls. However, Williston will show participating attorneys how to avoid common mistakes.
The goal of driver’s license reinstatement is to help people remain on the road and continue to lead productive lives. The ability to be mobile, particularly in a large city like Jacksonville, can be critical to employability.
The second session will be taught by local attorney David Barksdale. The two-hour webinar, “Sealing and Expunging Records,” will provide pro bono attorneys with the tools to determine when sealing or expungement of criminal records is allowed by Florida law.
This could aid clients denied work due to background checks that have revealed old arrests, arrests ending in charges being dropped, and other relatively minor infractions.
Attorneys participating in the “Sealing and Expunging Records” seminar will gain the knowledge to assist clients who have never been convicted pass the employment screening process and to gain the opportunity to be productively employed.
This webinar will be offered live from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 9.
Both CLE training sessions are being offered to pro bono attorneys free of charge.
Because of the webinar format, interested pro bono attorneys may view the session from their offices.
However, by participating in the webinar, the attorney is making a commitment to serve at least one pro bono client in the specific substantive area.
Participating attorneys are asked to provide pro bono assistance within a year of completion of the webinar(s).
To register for the live presentation of Driver’s License Reinstatement Oct. 28, attorneys should visit this registration address:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/965263974
To register for Sealing and Expunging Records on Dec. 9, attorneys should visit this registration address:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/440531942
Webinar presentations and materials will be available after the live presentation upon request from Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.
There are many CLE topics available for support of pro bono attorneys including basic probate, guardianship, naturalization, wills and advance directives, litigating garnishment exemptions, and many other topics.
Further, JALA provides its participating pro bono attorneys with a host of benefits including relevant reference information and document templates, professional liability insurance and expert attorneys who will serve as a resource for pro bono attorneys representing JALA clients.
For information about pro bono opportunities throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit, attorneys are encouraged to contact Kathy Para, chairwoman, Pro Bono Committee, The Jacksonville Bar Association, at [email protected] or 356-8371, ext. 363.