Attorneys with expertise in consumer matters, such as foreclosure defense, bankruptcy and credit-card collections, are needed for the third “Legal Phone-in” to be offered by Channel 12, First Coast News 5-6:30 p.m. Friday.
Attorneys interested in assisting should plan to be at the television station Downtown from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and should contact Kathy Para at [email protected] to indicate their willingness to participate.
Here’s how it will work: At the start of the First Coast News program at 5 p.m. the volunteer attorneys, who will be sitting at a phone bank on the set of the broadcast, will start answering phone calls and providing pro bono legal advice to callers.
Attorneys will answer legal questions in a variety of consumer-related areas of law, including foreclosure defense, bankruptcy, credit-card collections and predatory lending.
Attorneys will refer callers needing further counsel to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and The Jacksonville Bar Lawyer Referral Service.
At the first event in December, attorney Alessandro Apolito relayed a statement supported by those participating in the event.
“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,” he said.
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 and for offering the service again.
This particular event on Friday will provide a lead-in for the latest neighborhood Ask-A-Lawyer event from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corporation offices on Moncrief Road.
Mike Freed, president of The Jacksonville Bar Association, described the First Coast News “Legal Phone-in” format.
“In this 90-minute event, we were able to provide assistance to 80 callers in a broad range of consumer areas. 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.
Participating attorney Gregory Jackson Jr. also commented.
“It was an honor and a pleasure to participate in the event. 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 said.
The attorney 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 individuals in need and thanks also to each person who takes time 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 participating in the First Coast News “Legal Phone-in”, Ask-A-Lawyer and other pro bono opportunities throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit are encouraged to contact Kathy Para, The JBA Pro Bono Committee chairwoman, at [email protected], 356-8371, ext. 363.