The Florida Bar Business Law Section held a successful pro bono clinic for nonprofit organizations on Oct. 6, paving the way for future forums that will help serve the transactional needs of nonprofit organizations across the state.
The forum was hosted by Florida Coastal School of Law with the assistance of Pro Bono Director, Professor Karen Millard and Pro Bono Coordinator Krystal Landry. Florida Legal Services Pro Bono Director Sheila Meehan was pivotal in organizing the clinic through her communication with local attorneys, who included Theresa Kenney, Alan Howard, Brenda McCann, W. Hamilton Traylor, Frederick Kent, Gale Grubbs and Katharine Hartland.
Akerman Senterfitt Managing Partner John Macdonald spearheaded the event with the goal of the Florida Bar Business Law Section being to foster an opportunity in which transactional attorneys can offer their expertise to support nonprofit organizations that are serving local communities with a variety of services.
The success of the Jacksonville forum will likely bring greater numbers of nonprofit organizations in future endeavors, according to Millard. Meehan expressed her appreciation for the community support, saying, “We had nine organizations that took advantage of the free legal consultation and each one expressed such sincere thanks for the opportunity to meet with an attorney.”
She also noted that the Jacksonville clinic will provide a great model for the clinics to be held in Tampa Bay and Miami. John Macdonald echoed her remarks, thanking the many transactional attorneys who stepped forward to help. These clinics do not require long-term commitment to the organization, although an attorney may choose to continue with legal assistance beyond the clinic.
The Jacksonville clinic was part of a broader response to the need for transactional pro bono attorneys due to the traditional pro bono concentration on individuals facing litigation matters.
Of the nine nonprofit organizations that registered for the event, three of them are still receiving follow-up services on issues presented in October, and all of the organizations benefited from the smooth coordination and quality legal services provided. The attorneys still involved are supported by Jacksonville Area Legal Aid with professional liability insurance and community development assistance. The community is grateful to the many people who came together to make the goals of the Florida Business Law Section Nonprofit Organization Pro Bono Legal Services Clinic a reality.
Attorneys who would like to know more about pro bono opportunities throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit are encouraged to contact Kathy Para, Chairperson of The JBA Pro Bono Committee at [email protected].