by Kathy Para
JBA Pro Bono Committee Chair
Early in her career, someone close to Jacksonville attorney Connie Byrd pointed out these words from the Bible: “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”
Since that time, these words have served as inspiration for Byrd to offer her services to the community’s children.
Byrd, a self-proclaimed workaholic, primarily practices family and juvenile law with her law partner, who also happens to be her husband of more than 30 years. She loves her work and is passionate about helping the community’s best asset: the children.
“Nothing feels better than to realize that something good happened for a child because you took time to care,” claims Byrd.
It’s this dedication and passion that inspired Guardian ad Litem and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid to recognize Connie Byrd as May’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Month.
Byrd became involved in the Guardian ad Litem program about four years ago and has been serving children in need ever since. She has also represented pro bono clients of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.
When asked to reminisce about a memorable case, she recalled serving as Guardian ad Litem for a child in foster care with both physical and mental disabilities. The child was aging out of foster care and needed an advocate to assist her during the transition.
“I was able to ensure she did not lose her eligibility for benefits and to be sure she had an appropriate place to live,” recalls Byrd.
Byrd helped her young charge through the transition and in finding a volunteer guardian advocate to assist her after she aged out of foster care. She has been able to stay in a stable home environment and continue in her school placement even after leaving foster care.
Byrd believes she is fortunate to be able to give back in such a direct way. “I have been very blessed, both personally and professionally,” she says.
To maintain balance in her life, she enjoys spending time at the beach or traveling with her husband and family, including three children and one grandchild.
With all this going on, why does Byrd feel the need to volunteer her time? “My pro bono work requires me to stretch a little and step out of the pattern of my day- to-day work,” admits Byrd.
She recommends finding pro bono opportunities through Guardian ad Litem, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, the Office of Public Defender, Missing Link, and the Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership, all of which are organizations that provide legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable clients.
Attorneys interested in accepting a pro bono case or being involved with a pro bono legal services project should contact Kathy Para, chair, The Jacksonville Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, at [email protected] or 356-8371, ext. 363.