Channel 12, First Coast News hosted an important community event on Dec. 19 called “Legal Phone-in.”
At 5 p.m. as the First Coast News program began, the volunteer attorneys who were sitting at a phone bank on the set of the broadcast started answering phone calls, providing pro bono legal advice to callers. The seven participating attorneys took calls without a break until 6:30 p.m.
Lynn Drysdale, chair of The Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee, recruited the pro bono attorneys in this collaboration between The Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and The Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee. Attorneys were prepared to answer legal questions in a variety of consumer-related areas of law.
The event was successful in providing legal assistance to callers and thanks are extended to Channel 12 for hosting the event, as well as to attorneys James Young, Gregory Jackson Jr., Greg Gilbert, Laura Boeckman, Raye Blaire and Alessandro Apolito.
Attorneys referred callers needing further counsel to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and The Jacksonville Bar Lawyer Referral Service. The event was very rewarding for all of those involved.
Apolito summarized the generally held sentiment of all participating attorneys, saying, “I would definitely participate in this type of outreach again. Much like our Ask-A-Lawyer events held in neighborhoods, it’s just another way that we, as attorneys, can provide one-to-one guidance to persons in need of assistance.”
This particular type of Ask-A-Lawyer event provided a private phone conversation including advice, information and referral resources to anonymous callers in an economical and time-sensitive manner.
The efficiency of phone-in pro bono services appealed to all parties, and First Coast News deserves credit and applause for providing the much-needed community support.
“In this 90-minute event, we were able to provide assistance to 80 callers in a broad range of consumer areas,” said Michael Freed, president of The Jacksonville Bar Association.
“For pro bono attorneys to be able to answer questions, and help direct people in need with legal assistance, is a very worthwhile effort and service to our community,” he said.
“It was an honor and a pleasure to participate in the event,” said Jackson, who noted that “eighty calls in just an hour and a half (nearly a call a minute) is astounding and is a testament of how much people need the support of the legal community.”
He added that all of the callers were very appreciative of the event and several callers indicated that they would not have known where to find legal guidance if not for First Coast News.
When people take time out of their busy schedules to help others, it helps stabilize our community and improves the lives of all those involved. Thanks again to First Coast News for facilitating communication between pro bono attorneys and persons in need and thanks also to each person who takes time out to help others, whether it be a brief phone interview or a follow-up from a referral.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and The Jacksonville Bar Association recognize these efforts and continue to work toward increased efficiency, improved quality and more widespread pro bono service to the individuals, families and businesses in Northeast Florida.
Attorneys interested in pro bono opportunities throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit are encouraged to contact Kathy Para, The JBA Pro Bono Committee, Chairperson, [email protected], 356-8371, ext. 363.