Name: Rebeccah Beller
Age: 41
Family: Husband Richard, children Ethan and Kate
Pets: None, but kitten in the works
Education: Bachelor of Science in Communication from Florida State University, 1990; Juris Doctor from Florida State University, 1994
Admitted to the Bar: 1997
Employed by: Beller & Bustamante, PL
Field of Practice: Family, bankruptcy, estate planning and probate
Professional Organizations: The Florida Bar Family Law Division, The Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association, Fourth Circuit Pro Bono Committee
Community Involvement: Jacksonville Area Legal Aid board member and regular JALA pro bono attorney
How did you get involved?
I started practicing as an assistant public defender in St. Augustine in 1997, and in St. Johns County everyone takes pro bono cases. It’s expected. Megan Wall, the lead JALA staff attorney, overwhelms every new attorney with her enthusiasm and they sign up. Although I knew nothing about family law, Megan convinced me to take that first case and I got dressed down by a magistrate for not having procedure straight, but I helped the client, she was thrilled and I got a glimpse of just how many deserving clients are out there who need an attorney to make a positive difference. I now mainly handle pro bono estate planning, probate and guardianship matters because JALA does not employ attorneys who handle these areas.
How can someone else get involved?
Call your local legal aid organization and ask to speak with the pro bono coordinator. Kathy Para in Jacksonville does a superb job making nervous newcomers feel welcome, supported and appreciated.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
I think the video for the “One” campaign says it the best and I encourage all attorneys to view it, http://onepromiseflorida.org/. I find great satisfaction in helping others, particularly when my expertise makes a real difference, but selfishly my pro bono work keeps my life in perspective and reminds me how fortunate I am, and how few problems I truly face. We are all members of our community and should support each other accordingly.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“Web of Debt” by Ellen Brown and “The Pleasure of Finding Things Out” by Richard Feynman.