From the earliest days of our training, most of us are taught that the proper practice of law carries responsibilities beyond representing paying clients.
Lawyers develop specialized tools, are given access to the courts and learn the ability to navigate systems that are often difficult for nonlawyers to understand. One long-standing way the profession has responded to that reality is through pro bono service.
Across Florida, and right here in our own community, unrepresented individuals face challenges like eviction, domestic violence, consumer disputes or accessing public benefits. And, for many, hiring an attorney is simply not an option.
Legal aid organizations are routinely faced with more requests for help than they can handle. Without guidance, relatively minor problems can escalate quickly, leading to long-term consequences affecting housing stability, family safety, employment and financial security.
When attorneys step in through pro bono work, they become the crucial difference between someone navigating a frightening situation alone and having an effective advocate at their side. In those critical moments, lawyers provide more than legal advice; they offer stability, clarity and reassurance when people feel overwhelmed. Taken together, these individual acts of service help sustain the trust necessary for a legal system that touches nearly every aspect of daily life.
Pro bono service also has value within the profession itself. For early-career attorneys, it can provide hands-on experience in client counseling, advocacy and problem-solving, accelerating professional development.
For more experienced lawyers, it offers opportunities to set an example, to lead and to pass along judgment and perspective gained over years of practice. Service strengthens individual lawyers while reinforcing shared professional values.
Voluntary Bar associations, such as the Jacksonville Bar Association, are well positioned to support these efforts. The JBA Pro Bono Committee serves as a strong resource for members seeking to identify gaps in access to justice and match with rewarding service opportunities.
In our community, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and Three Rivers Legal Services do extraordinary work serving individuals and families in need.
Each organization offers a range of ways to get involved, from monthly “Ask-A-Lawyer” clinics to full case representation. Their websites provide helpful information about current needs, training and volunteer options.
This year’s focus on service is underscored by the state Supreme Court’s recognition of two outstanding Jacksonville organizations. D.W. Perkins Bar Association received the 2026 Chief Justice Voluntary Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award and Pajcic & Pajcic was honored with the 2026 Law Firm Commendation for Pro Bono Service.
Both awards were presented at the annual Pro Bono Awards ceremony in recognition of meaningful and sustained commitment to access to justice.
Pro bono service does not look the same for every attorney. Some take on full cases; others contribute through clinics, limited-scope assistance, or behind-the-scenes support. Practice area, current workload, and career stage all matter.
What counts is not uniformity, but a shared commitment to contributing in ways that fit individual circumstances and capacity.
By continuing to support and value this work, we reaffirm the trust placed in lawyers and the role of the legal profession in sustaining an honorable and well-ordered community.
Brian Coughlin is president of the Jacksonville Bar Association for 2025-26. He is a director at Bedell, focusing on criminal justice matters.