Each year, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Unit hosts law students for its Alternative Spring Break program, giving students hands-on experience while serving the local community.
For the second consecutive year, the unit held two Alternative Spring Breaks, during which students visited senior residential centers to draft advance directives and simple wills for the residents.
Before the clinic, students received training in estate planning and in using an automated template for drafting documents, created by pro bono attorney Rick Stockton of Holland & Knight. This program has gained national recognition with law students from around the country participating.
During the week of March 9, JALA hosted law students from:
March 10 and 11, students were at Cathedral Towers and Florida Christian Apartments consulting and drafting documents under the supervision of volunteer pro bono attorneys Andrew Barauskas, Jack Ford, Gregory Redmon and Katie Valley.
The program concluded with a luncheon March 12 at the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse hosted by U.S. District Magistrate Judge Patricia Barksdale along with several of her colleagues.
The following week, students participating were:
Students and attorneys were on-site at Pablo Towers and Pablo Hamlet in Jacksonville Beach. Volunteer pro bono attorneys were Melissa Coll, Laura Jacqmein, Isabella Limonta, Sydney Moran, Gregory Redmon, Rick Stockton and Lisa Varon.
The week concluded with a luncheon at the federal courthouse hosted by Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard and her colleagues.
During the two weeks of the clinic, 90 clients were served. I am continually inspired by the success of the Alternative Spring Break program. I am grateful for the participation of each law school, the students’ dedication to pro bono service and the support of our volunteer attorneys and federal judiciary. This program demonstrates the impact of volunteer work in our community and underscores the importance of hands-on legal experience for law students.
Those interested in getting involved with JALA’s Pro Bono Unit may visit http://www.jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono where you can find several volunteer opportunities, including cases awaiting placement. Alternatively, send an email to aaron.irving@jaxlegalaid.