More than 250 of our members gathered at the Downtown library last Tuesday to study and discuss what we need to do to ensure that Jacksonville remains among the most professional legal communities in the country.
This is critical information for everyone who values the special legal community that we have inherited and over which we are the trustees.
For that reason, allow me to summarize some of what we learned:
• The Jacksonville Bar Association is one of the most professional to practice law in the country. However, like everywhere, that level of professionalism is trending downward, and we will not be able to maintain our level of excellence unless we actively strive to do so.
• Regrettably, many who need to focus on what it means to be a professional do not. U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan quoted Ben Franklin who said, “The wise man does not need advice and the fool won’t take it.”
• Virtually everything that we need to know about professionalism can be found in the Florida Bar’s Oath of Admission. Judge Corrigan re-administered that oath to those in attendance at the symposium. We should each re-read it regularly and always follow it.
• How we practice is more important than how much wealth we accumulate.
• What we think of but do not say or write is more important than what we do say or write.
• The first step in behaving professionally is being attuned to decisions that call into question what it means to be a professional. Our plenary speaker, Jack Marshall, called this “ringing the bell.”
• It is harder than ever to be “ethical.” Changing rules, the speed of communication, specialization, increased competition, globalization, technology and changing social ethics all provide new pressures and often conflicting demands.
• Some form of policing and oversight is necessary to cause a certain segment of any population, including lawyers, to behave professionally.
• Even lawyers pre-disposed toward ethical behavior will lower their standards when the community in which they practice tolerates unethical behavior. The converse also is true.
• We are not objective. We tend to see facts as consistent with our own predisposition or bias. This dynamic can cause us to rationalize unprofessional behavior as being OK under the circumstances.
• We are all subject to temptation and must be on guard against it.
• As a generalization, the legal profession has a high incidence of addiction. We need to acknowledge it and be sensitive to this dynamic and its effects on deriding professionalism.
• You do not make a career on one case, but you can lose your reputation on that same case.
• If you have to stop and think about whether a course of conduct is ethical, don’t follow it.
• Take the high road in the face of obstreperous behavior.
• You can be successful and be professional — in fact, they go hand in hand.
• Interaction in person or by phone generally is more effective and less adversarial than emails.
• You are establishing your reputation every day in everything that you do.
Pro bono — a new program launched
The JBA and the Fourth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee have launched a new program designed to provide legal counsel for pro se litigants in civil cases.
Only certain cases will be selected by our state court judges for participation: Those that present issues or facts as to which the justice system would benefit by the pro se litigant having the assistance of counsel.
It will be the rare case that qualifies, but those that do will present meaningful opportunities to serve, as we all are called upon to do. To join the list of participating attorneys, email Tony Adams in The JBA office at [email protected].
Mentorship - the ball is rolling
At our August member lunch, we had dozens of attorneys sign up to be mentors or to have a mentor assigned to them.
Mentorship and accountability is how we became such a distinguished legal community and it is how we will maintain, and even improve, that stature. Please join this initiative.
If you have been practicing for less than four years or otherwise believe that you would benefit from having a mentor outside of your firm, please let us know.
If you have been practicing for more than 10 years and believe that you can positively influence a newer lawyer, please agree to be a mentor.
And if you know a lawyer who would benefit from a mentor, please encourage that attorney to reach out to us or let us know and we will discretely reach out.
To be a mentor or to have
one assigned, email Kendra Rhod-in at The JBA office at [email protected].
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid — an opportunity for support
JALA has been, and remains, vital to the provision of legal services to the indigent in our community.
Like all not-for-profit organizations, the downturn in the economy and the real estate market crash each has JALA struggling to serve more with fewer resources.
One opportunity to support JALA in this undertaking is by joining the “Human Race.” The Human Race is a run and walk for charities organized by one of Jacksonville’s premier nonprofit leaders, HandsOn Jacksonville.
Recognizing the plethora of North Florida runs, HandsOn Jax devised and implemented this 5K run or walk, for which teams can be organized to support the not-for-profit organization of their choice.
It will take place Oct. 8 at the St. Johns Town Center. It is a great opportunity to raise money and create awareness.
The JBA is putting together a team to support JALA. If you are interested in participating, or supporting others in doing so, please contact Mark Bajalia at [email protected].
Ask-A-Lawyer
Come help indigent members of the community be pointed in the right direction to answer their legal questions.
The JBA is sponsoring another Ask-A-Lawyer event from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Gateway Town Center in North Jacksonville.
These events are a simple investment of your time (15-minute appointments), and you will receive an amazing return — the knowledge that you have empowered or motivated someone to receive counsel in whatever area with which they are struggling.
Let Kathy Para know if you can help. You can reach her at [email protected].