With October less than two weeks away, it’s time to prepare for the annual Celebrate Pro Bono observances in the 4th Judicial Circuit.
The designation was established in 2009 by the American Bar Association and the local legal community has been a strong participant each year.
The ABA states the purpose of Celebrate Pro Bono Week is to recognize the service of attorneys providing assistance to low-income persons, to recruit more volunteer attorneys and to build awareness of free legal services.
We have planned a full schedule of events and opportunities.
• The Jacksonville Bar Association Luncheon is noon Friday at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. In addition to the presentation of a proclamation recognizing Pro Bono Week in Jacksonville, former Gov. Bob Graham will be our keynote speaker.
• Sept. 27, 6-7:30 pm: City Rescue Mission, 426 S. McDuff Ave., Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Intake Night and Case Acceptance Forum coordinated by the Christian Legal Society.
Attorneys provide legal guidance to residents in the Life Builders program and may accept a case for follow-up.
Contact Blane McCarthy at [email protected].
• Oct. 1-31: The One Campaign. One Client. One Attorney. One Promise. Attorneys who don’t have at least one pro bono case are encouraged to visit jaxlegalaid.org, click on ìCases in Need of Placement with Pro Bono Attorneys.
Cases posted are identified by Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership and Three Rivers Legal Services.
During October, each JBA standing committee is encouraged to identify at least one pro bono effort that provides a meaningful and manageable opportunity for committee members to increase access to justice for low-income and underserved people.
Also, the goal of the statewide Lawyers in Libraries program is to have volunteer attorneys in public libraries speak with patrons about access to justice and explain online legal resources.
Attorneys advise librarians about online legal resources and answer questions regarding unauthorized practice of law.
Florida Legal Services will develop the presentations.
For more information, email [email protected] or [email protected].
• Oct. 15, 9 a.m.-noon: Senior citizens wills and advance directives pro bono project at Pablo Towers.
Attorneys, Northeast Florida Paralegal Association members and Florida Coastal School of Law students team up to create advance planning documents for senior citizens.
Attorneys interested in serving should email [email protected] or call (904) 356-8371, ext. 363.
• Oct. 23-29: No Case Left Behind
Members of the Large Firm Pro Bono Roundtable will snapshot cases awaiting placement and rally attorneys in their firms to take a case.
The goal is to ensure cases in the queue will be accepted by an attorney.
• Oct. 23-29: Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division’s Youth on Solid Ground.
Young lawyers will receive training and sign up to assist a family with a guardian advocacy or temporary relative custody matter.
The project is a collaboration of the local YLD chapters, The Florida Bar Foundation and the Florida Pro Bono Coordinators Association.
Interested attorneys may email [email protected].
• Guardian ad Litem volunteer pre-service training class for potential volunteers going through certification training as well as termination of parental rights training for current volunteers and recertification hours. The event hasn’t been scheduled.
For more information, contact Lindsay Stevens, child advocate recruiter, [email protected].
• GAL Day at the University of North Florida, hosted by Kappa Alpha Theta sorority also will be scheduled in October. Celebration hosted by Thetas, inviting Guardian ad Litem staff and volunteers, children in care and foster parents.
• Oct. 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: JALAween and Meet the Judges.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, 126 W. Adams St., will host an open house and reception as a thank you to attorneys and supporters and to provide information on the depth and scope of civil legal services provided to low-income clients for nearly 80 years.
Children from area agencies serving low-income families will be invited to participate in Halloween activities, choose some fun clothing accessories and fill a bag with healthy snacks for their families.
Adult guests will be provided an overview of JALA services and will be invited to an informal happy hour gathering at the Zodiac Bar & Grill.
It’s also an opportunity to network and meet some of our judges.
The event is sponsored by Driver, McAfee, Peek and Hawthorne.
Attorney response is appreciated, but not required to: [email protected].
• Oct. 27, noon-1 p.m.: Florida Coastal School of Law Pro Bono Fall Forum, 8787 Baypine Road.
The purpose is to encourage and educate students who soon will be practicing attorneys to get involved with pro bono representation of low-income clients.
Legal services organizations and other resource providers are invited to set up displays and distribute information on volunteer opportunities for students and attorneys. Lunch will be provided.
Contact Karen Millard, director of pro bono programs, at [email protected].
• Oct. 27, 5-8 p.m.: Florida Bar Business Law Section Nonprofit Organizations Legal Services Forum, Florida Coastal School of Law.
Transactional attorneys will consult with local nonprofits in the areas of contracts, employment, incorporation and real estate.
Attorneys interested may contact John Macdonald at [email protected]. Nonprofits interested in participating should email [email protected].
• Oct. 28: JBA luncheon, Dueling Deans, University of Florida and University of Georgia.
• Spring: Special assistant public defender pro bono opportunities and criminal law training covers court procedures and representation in misdemeanor matters. Upon completion of the training session, participants will be appointed as special assistant public defenders and become eligible for an assignment to one misdemeanor case. Call (904) 255-4740 to be added to the list for notification of the training date.
Representatives of agencies and firms providing free legal services to low-income people are invited to participate in the listing, planning and preparation for Celebrate Pro Bono observances.
Contact [email protected] or (904) 356-8371, ext. 363 to add events.