by Kathy Para
JBA Pro Bono Committee Chair
Joe Meux has a tip for Jacksonville attorneys looking for a better night’s sleep.
“Accept pro bono work and sleep soundly at the prospect of helping others in need,” he advises.
Meux is a fine example of practicing what he preaches – literally.
This Army veteran, attorney and pastor began his journey growing up on a farm in Memphis, Tenn.
He served in the U.S. Army on active duty for three years during the Korean War and in the Active Reserve for 31 years before retiring as a colonel (chaplain).
After his active duty tour, Meux attended Vanderbilt University Law School and practiced law for five years as a junior member of Evans, Petree & Cobb before being called to the Christian ministry, where he served four churches, including 26 years as pastor at Mandarin Presbyterian Church until his retirement in 1994.
However, Meux wasn’t ready for complete retirement. He served on various judicial bodies in the church and has retained both Tennessee and Florida Bar membership. This has kept him active in the legal community.
“After winding down from my years of service as pastor, I searched for ways to continue my service,” says Meux. “That’s when JALA invited me to help with pro bono work.”
Meux continues to serve as an elder law attorney, doing probate service in wills, preparing health directives, powers of attorney, real estate documents and other legal documents for low-income senior citizens.
Over the years, Meux has served clients diagnosed with HIV or AIDS as well as the underserved, elderly population with probate matters and collection problems.
“I consider the pro bono work for the poor, minorities, elders and others a very worthwhile ministry for my retirement years,” admits Meux.
It’s that very reason that Joe Meux has been selected as the “Pro Bono Attorney of the Month.”
In his outreach through JALA, Meux helps individuals at the Mary Singleton Senior Center weekly with their legal and health insurance issues as both a pro bono attorney and a SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) area coordinator from ElderSource (Northeast Florida Area Agency on Aging).
When asked about one of those cases that helps him sleep at night, Meux recalls, “I remember a young boy who wanted his name legally changed to his father’s name before he graduated from high school. Through the kind consent of a local judge, I was able to accomplish this and received a grateful thank-you card from the boy, which I still have.”
Meux has received other honors in his many years as a pro bono attorney for JALA, including the Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award and The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award. He is a positive and valuable asset to our community.
Yes, Joe Meux is sleeping soundly and he maintains a busy schedule for a man who has retired twice. He assures us that he and his wife, Elizabeth, a retired kindergarten teacher, are very happy and spend a great deal of their free time with their two sons and grandchildren.
“We also enjoy an occasional trip, reading, and exercise at the Jewish Community Alliance,” he says.
Meux provides inspiration for all attorneys to find time to donate some of their legal expertise.
Attorneys in the Fourth Judicial Circuit are encouraged to be the “One” for a client in need. Contact Kathy Para, chair, JBA Pro Bono Committee, [email protected]; 356-8371, ext. 363, for information on how to offer pro bono legal services.