In anticipation of the National Celebration of Pro Bono Oct. 19-25, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee and Three Rivers Legal Services offer a “thank you” to members of the JBA for their dedication and volunteer service to the vulnerable and underserved in our community in the past year.
National Pro Bono Week is not just a chance to thank our pro bono volunteers but also an opportunity to encourage ongoing engagement and recruit new volunteer attorneys, as there is a growing need for additional pro bono work in our community.
More than 90% of low-income Americans have inadequate or no legal assistance in dealing with their civil legal needs. Pro bono engagement from the private Bar helps us alleviate this justice gap while also promoting responsible community engagement, leveraging critical fiscal and resource investments and facilitating judicial efficiency.
For every $1 invested in civil legal services, $7 returns to the community – this is also true for pro bono engagement.
The need for active volunteer attorneys continues to grow and there is ample opportunity for you to get involved. Pro bono does not necessarily mean accepting a case, although there is certainly a need, given the large number of cases awaiting placement.
The spirit of pro bono, however, lies in its flexibility. If you want to provide pro bono services, there is a way to do it. JALA and TRLS host regular clinics focused on specific areas of law – like advance directives, eviction defense, and expungement – as well as Ask-A-Lawyer Clinics, which are intended to provide general advice.
Attorneys report that engaging in pro bono service has many benefits to them as well as clients:
“This was a very rewarding experience. I got to participate in a part of the law that I have never had the opportunity to before. The client, law student and legal agency were all great to work with and the outcome was very heartfelt on all sides. I would highly recommend attorneys participate and help someone to change their lives. There is nothing like it,” said Abena Akuffo-Akoto, a volunteer at Three Rivers.
“Something that made an impact on me is just the gratitude the clients have for you when you take their cases, and it is a frequent reminder of why most of us went to law school in the first place – to help people,” Ashley Goggins, a JALA volunteer.
Many large firms find benefit from engaging in pro bono service, as it provides young associates opportunities to network with other legal professionals, gain valuable client and legal experience and sharpen their skills.
Law firms also benefit from participating in legal aid outreach projects and events, as it further demonstrates the firm’s value and investment in the community.
Attorneys who participate in pro bono service are recognized at the annual Presentation of the Pins Ceremony at the Duval County Courthouse.
The event recognizes the 4th Judicial Circuit pro bono advocates for their commitment to the community through pro bono engagement, which is strongly supported by the judiciary – this year, more than 20 judges attended to personally congratulate each volunteer.
There are many cases awaiting placement with a pro bono attorney.
Visit Florida Funding Legal Aid at fundingfla.org, where you can view available pro bono cases from across the state. You can filter cases by legal aid organization, case type and expected time commitment.
Many of these cases do not involve contested litigation. Many involve document preparation, such as drafting wills and advance directives, preparation of correspondence on behalf of a client and the filing of uncontested matters.
Alternatively, you can visit JALA’s pro bono page at www.jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono or TRLS’s website at trls.org/
volunteer to view available opportunities.
JALA and TRLS offer support to pro bono attorneys when volunteering through either organization, such as CLE courses and training, expert attorney resources, access to Westlaw, meeting space, court costs and professional liability insurance.
We encourage you to join us at one of the Jacksonville Bar Association Pro Bono Committee’s meetings, which are held at noon the first Tuesday of every month by Zoom.
Our community is better off because of our commitment to supporting and promoting the public good.
If you have not already included pro bono as part of your practice, we certainly hope you will consider doing so.
