Too often, the loss of money resulting from a small claims issue can mean the difference between a family maintaining stability and becoming homeless.
However, a two-part training session offered by Jacksonville Area Legal Aid might help local residents with those issues.
The continuing legal education webinar series “Small Claims – Big Economic Impact” provides training for attorneys to help families or potential clients retain money that can literally can keep food on the table and a roof over heads.
The first session, “Litigating Garnishment Exemption,” will be taught by attorney Laura Boeckman and will provide the understanding and tools needed to successfully litigate garnishment exemption cases.
The webinar will explain when income is exempt from garnishment, when an individual may qualify for head-of-household designation, the timelines and deadlines for filing, how income already garnished may be recovered, how to quash a writ of garnishment and how to prepare for a garnishment hearing. The webinar will be held 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sept.30.
To register for the live webinar, go to: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/160033582.
The second session, “Successful Defense of Credit Card Collection Lawsuits,” will be taught by attorney James Kowalski Jr. and will provide the understanding and tools needed to successfully defend a client in a credit card collection lawsuit.
The webinar will include an overview of relevant law, as well as motions, counterclaims, discovery and litigation techniques.
Participants will receive governing statutes, document templates and other timesaving case management resources. The webinar will be 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 11.
To register for this webinar, go to: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/42994915.
Both CLE training sessions are being offered to pro bono attorneys free of charge. Because of the webinar format, interested pro bono attorneys may view the session from their offices.
By participating in the webinar, the attorney is making a commitment to serve at least one pro bono client in the specific substantive area. Participating attorneys are asked to provide pro bono assistance within approximately a year of completion of the webinar(s).
Webinar presentations and materials will be available after the live presentation upon request from Jacksonville Area Legal Aid ([email protected]).
There are many CLE topics available for support of pro bono attorneys including basic probate, guardianship, naturalization, wills and advance directives, litigating garnishment exemptions, and many other topics.
Further, JALA provides its participating pro bono attorneys with a host of benefits including relevant reference information and document templates, professional liability insurance and expert attorneys who will serve as a resource for pro bono attorneys representing JALA clients.
For information on pro bono opportunities and pro bono attorney training and support throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit, attorneys are encouraged to contact Kathy Para, chairwoman, Pro Bono Committee, The Jacksonville Bar Association at [email protected], 356-8371, ext. 363.