Age: 26
Family: My fiance, Jesse Bannon
Pets: None … yet.
Education: B.A., Tulane University, J.D., University of Florida.
Admitted to the Bar: 2009
Employed by: Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, McCoy & Ford.
Field of practice: Insurance defense litigation
Professional organizations: The Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association.
Community involvement: Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Ask-A-Lawyer, Jacksonville Jewish Center’s Social Action Committee.
How did you get involved?
I read about the Ask-A-Lawyer program in the Daily Record and thought it would be a great way to learn more about areas of law in which I don’t normally practice, and to improve client communication skills, all while helping people who don’t typically have access to attorneys. I emailed Kathy Para at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and she helped me get signed up.
How can someone else get involved?
Email Kathy — she is wonderful about helping you find an opportunity which fits your abilities, both time-wise and skills-wise. There are so many opportunities for busy attorneys through JALA and other community organizations like the Guardian ad Litem program, and their organizers truly appreciate any time or resources you can donate.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
Attorneys take an oath to never reject the cause of the defenseless or the oppressed. Participating in the Ask-A-Lawyer program helps me feel as though I am fulfilling that oath by providing legal advice to people that have no practical access to it otherwise. Even though I don’t have the answer to every question asked at an Ask-A-Lawyer event, being able to shed some light on even one problem is a very hands-on, rewarding experience.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“The Descendants,” by Kaui Hart Hemmings.