The Pro Se Bankruptcy Assistance Clinic launched March 12 at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse on North Hogan Street in Rooms 4303 and 4403. Jason Burgess and Ed Jackson served as the first pro bono attorneys to provide free legal guidance through 20-minute consultations for individuals representing themselves in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The bankruptcy pro se assistance clinic is a collaboration of the Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, and Three Rivers Legal Services. Gull Weaver, deputy-in-charge for the Middle District of Florida Jacksonville Division, has been instrumental in facilitating the start of the clinic. Judges and court staff are enthusiastically providing information to the pro se litigants. Fliers are available in courtrooms and in the reception area describing the clinic for members of the public. Pro se bankruptcy filers are encouraged to come to the clinic to meet one-to-one with a practicing bankruptcy attorney to ask questions and receive brief legal guidance. No appointment is needed. The attendees sign statements verifying that they understand the attorney is not agreeing to begin representation, but rather is simply providing insight and information on the process and options available. The pro bono attorney can help the pro se litigant understand the bankruptcy process and provide limited case-specific advice, but he or she cannot represent the litigant in court or file pleadings. The pro se litigant also receives information on additional online resources that are available, upcoming Ask-A-Lawyer events and monthly "Is Bankruptcy Right for Me?" clinics held at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. More bankruptcy attorneys are needed to assist with this valuable resource. Experienced bankruptcy attorneys who would like to participate in the program and provide much-needed guidance are encouraged to contact Kathy Para at [email protected]. The clinic will be 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in Rooms 4303 and 4403 of the federal courthouse. The attorney should indicate the month(s) in which he or she is available to assist. The stated mission of the Jacksonville Division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida is this: "Our Court serves the public by processing and deciding bankruptcy cases with fairness, impartiality, and excellence, while treating everyone with dignity, integrity and respect." By providing legal guidance and resources to those who are representing themselves in this important process, pro bono attorneys are integral partners in fulfilling that commitment. For information on this and other pro bono opportunities in the 4th Judicial Circuit and beyond, attorneys are encouraged to contact Para, chair of The JBA Pro Bono Committee, at [email protected].