Pro Bono @ JALA:

Pro Bono Opportunities

There are two broad categories of volunteer opportunities - case representation and project participation:

1. CASE REPRESENTATION
Case Representation means the Pro Bono Attorney has agreed to assist a client with a specific legal matter. Attorneys are needed in all areas of civil legal representation, with areas of highest need being: Consumer Issues, Family Law matters, and Probate. However, all areas of expertise are needed and appreciated, and we look forward to matching each willing pro bono attorney with a rewarding pro bono experience. Clients are referred for pro bono placement from JALA general intake, Northeast Florida Medical-Legal Partnership (NFMLP) and area nonprofit agencies. A Pro Bono Attorney reviews the case summary and case documents prior to acceptance. Many resources are available to support the Pro Bono Attorney (Resources: Training and Support). Pro Bono case administration for JALA/NFMLP grantors is minimal.

Click Here to review cases awaiting placement with pro bono attorneys.

2. PROJECT PARTICIPATION
Pro bono project participation opportunities include serving as an intake interviewer, conducting monthly informational clinics, brochure translation for JALA's Fair Housing Unit, participating in Ask-A-Lawyer, and other valuable efforts. Indicate your interest in specific pro bono projects by sending an email to Kathy.Para@jaxlegalaid.org

Ask-A-Lawyer

These quarterly events typically occur on a Saturday morning and provide legal guidance to members of the public in neighborhood locations identified by nonprofit agencies and the Jacksonville City Council. Attorneys in all areas of practice provide brief counsel in their areas of expertise in 10-15 minute one-to-one interviews.

Advanced Directives for Seniors and Military Reservists

These quarterly events typically occur on a Saturday morning. Teams of attorneys, law students and paralegals create and execute advance directive documents for low-income seniors and military reservists by appointment.

Monthly Group Information Clinic (attorney presenter)

Attorneys present legal information for pro se litigants on a variety of topics including bankruptcy, dissolution or marriage, and child support modification, paternity/time-sharing. Group information clinics are offered monthly on each topic and content outlines are developed for pro bono attorney presenters.

Nonprofit Agency - Legal Counsel Clinic

This annual event offers nonprofit agency leaders and staff a forum to meet privately with an attorney to discuss legal needs of the organization, including concerns focusing on employment, incorporation, real estate and contracts (to name a few).

Intake Outreach at I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless & City Rescue Mission

Periodically and after business hours, teams of pro bono attorneys conduct JALA intake interviews and offer brief counsel and advice to applicants at these two locations.

Expert Resource Attorney

Pro bono attorneys provide legal guidance and serve as sounding boards for other pro bono attorneys who are representing JALA pro bono clients. The expert resource attorney is not listed as the primary advocate for the case, but rather supports the pro bono attorney advocate.

Translator / Interpreter

Bilingual attorneys and law students serve to support pro bono attorneys representing non-English speaking clients as translators and interpreters. Bilingual volunteers may also serve to interpret JALA informational brochures.

Citizenship Day

This annual event is held in collaboration with Florida Coastal School of Law. Qualified immigrants receive assistance from attorney and law student teams in completing and filing applications to become naturalized citizens.

New pro bono projects are in development, and JALA is always interested in new program ideas.

Please join this effort today!
Click here to enroll