An Ask-A-Lawyer attendee said it this way, “You were here for me last year and I was able to complete my divorce on my own. It’s done. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Over and over again, the pro bono attorneys who served at the recent Ask-A-Lawyer event received expressions of gratitude and appreciation.
On Sept. 19, 13 attorneys, eight law students and three advisory board volunteers gathered to provide a brief legal counsel and advice opportunity for members of the community.
The event was at the Downtown campus of Florida State College at Jacksonville and 48 people received guidance on nearly 60 legal matters in one-on-one interviews.
Attorneys advised in the areas of family law, probate, guardianship, criminal law, bankruptcy, collections, foreclosure, contracts, real estate, landlord/tenant, tax immigration and personal injury. Spanish speakers were available to provide translation.
The pro bono attorneys were Ned Price, Logan McEwen, Eric Kolar, Jonathan Graessle, Enrique Barquinero, Laura Gapske, Sarah Mannion, Debbie Lee-Clark, Michelle White, Courtney Johnson, Melina Buncome and Cyndy Trimmer.
Florida Coastal School of Law students Robert Parker, Victor Nazario, Marine Fiqueroa, Erika Smith, Katrina Hamilton, Jessica DeLeon, Cindy Walls and Justine Gonzales provided administrative assistance and to observe the consultation interviews.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Client Advisory Board volunteers Zuleca Johnson, Kiara Johnson and Paris Owens were there to welcome attendees, sign them in and answer general questions.
In addition to many words of appreciation, one attendee brought a box of fresh doughnuts to share with volunteers and attendees.
As he arrived midmorning, he smiled and said, “I didn’t get here as early as I’d hoped, but I wanted to bring you all doughnuts, anyway. Thank you for being here.”
Another attendee arrived distraught and, after speaking to one of the family law attorneys, left tearfully relieved. “I’m just so glad I came,” the attendee said. “You can’t imagine how important this help is to me. Thank you.”
Each Ask-A-Lawyer event aims to provide legal guidance and direction, as well as information on additional community resources for persons in need.
Attendees may be referred on to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, The Jacksonville Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service, Three Rivers Legal Services and/or to a community service agency.
The events are made possible because of the collaboration of the JBA, The D.W. Perkins Bar Association, Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and Jacksonville City Council.
The quarterly events are held in locations that are easily accessible to low-income and under-served residents.
In addition to FSCJ, events have been held at SOS Academy on Wilson Boulevard and the Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corp. on Moncrief Road.
The final event for 2015 is 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 5 at the Johnson Family YMCA on Cleveland Road.
The volunteers served each person who came seeking information with respect and compassion. They answered questions, provided information on legal options and community resources, and in many cases offered hope and direction. Facing a problem requires courage and energy.
Taking a first step toward solving the problem requires even more.
For many of the attendees, Ask-A-Lawyer provided the information needed to enable the attendees to take that first step toward stability and resolution.
The goal of Ask-A-Lawyer is to take information and guidance directly to members of our community who may not otherwise be able to access the expertise of an attorney.
We know that, as attorneys, we don’t always tell people what they want to hear.
However, with the belief that knowledge is power, we know that with sound information and direction, people are better equipped to get the help they need and/or resolve their matters themselves.
Access to the legal community must not be limited to those who can afford to pay for that access. It is informed advocacy on both sides that protects the integrity of our system of justice.
Ask-A-Lawyer events empower and encourage persons to effectively resolve their legal issues and the barriers they face. The efforts of the entire pro bono Ask-A-Lawyer team of Sept. 19 are applauded and appreciated.
Attorneys interested in these and other pro bono opportunities throughout the 4th Judicial Circuit are encouraged to contact Para at [email protected].