momius - stock.adobe.com
“Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.”
— Denis Waitley
Trying new things is risky, sure, but it can also be rewarding.
Similarly, tackling a new area of law can be intimidating, but you do not have to go it alone. One of the perks of taking a pro bono case with Three Rivers Legal Services is that you can work alongside mentors and substantive experts who can answer questions, review documents and pleadings and brainstorm strategies.
Research shows that, when learning something new, a person traverses four stages of competence:
We want to get you from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence in your pro bono work. And you won’t be alone in your efforts. You just need to practice while utilizing the resources available to you. We have a particular need for volunteers able to help petitioners complete pro se divorce packets, provide small claims advice, guidance on completing small claims forms for initial filings and provide advice on landlord/tenant issues, particularly eviction defense/avoidance and repairs. If you are interested in pro bono, there is a project or case out there for you. Three Rivers Legal Services screens all cases for eligibility and legal issues. We also provide liability coverage, office space and reimbursement of expenses. We make every effort to ensure you have a positive experience volunteering with TRLS. The Telephonic Housing Clinic advice-only clinic is offered 5-6 p.m. every Tuesday. Appointments are scheduled for 45 minutes. TRLS staff screen and schedule clients, notifying volunteers of their assignments on the Friday (or Monday) prior to the clinic. Issues involve private landlord/tenant issues such as eviction, repairs and security deposits. Volunteers complete an online form during the call so that TRLS knows what advice was given and if any follow-up by staff is needed. Pro Se Divorce Clinics are offered every three months in Jacksonville. Volunteers are asked to attend either the morning or afternoon session to help pro se filers complete the financial affidavit short form, petition and the UCCJEA and answer questions about the pro se divorce process. The next clinic is scheduled Aug. 29. We are working on restarting our Small Claims Clinic, too. These sessions will include a telephone conversation with a client, wherein volunteers will provide advice/counsel on filing small claims. Clients are screened by staff, and any available information and documentation will be emailed to the volunteer at least two days before the call. Attorneys also can provide limited scope assistance. Current opportunities include: We are in constant need of volunteers to work with clients, one-on-one, to complete pro se divorce packets. We also have clients who need advance directives such as drafting last will and testament, health care surrogates, power of attorney, living wills and pre-need guardianships. These cases can be handled remotely with documents notarized/witnessed at the Three Rivers office by appointment. Finally, you can take on a client matter for full representation in a variety of areas including bankruptcy, special education, family, housing/property, consumer, income maintenance and trusts and estates. We are in particular need of attorneys to assist with probate cases, guardianship and guardian advocacy, and landlord/tenant. Summaries of a couple of available cases (as of the writing of this article) follow: Baker County (20-0328644) - represent client in probate summary administration. Duval County (22-0344474) - represent client in guardianship of adult child. Clay County (23-0346835) - represent client in guardianship of adult child. Duval County (multiple) - prepare advance directives. We also have criminal expungement cases throughout our service area. While the application needs to be filed in the county of conviction, this work can be done remotely. TRLS may be able to assist with the $75 application fee. If you would like to take on any of the cases above, contact me at [email protected] or 352-415-2315 and include the identification number. If you are interested in another kind of case, just let me know. You can also select an available case and learn more about TRLS’s Pro Bono Legal Assistance Program at trls.org/volunteer/. Samantha Howell is director of pro bono at Three Rivers Legal Services.