National Pro Bono Week is Oct. 19-25
By Aaron Irving | Jacksonville Area Legal Aid director of pro bono & Samantha Howell | Three Rivers Legal Service pro bono
JALA housing counselor prevents foreclosure for a woman in major health crisis
Jane (not her real name) has dealt with severe health problems since 2017. Most recently, she was hospitalized for atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular and rapid heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots in the heart. Ms. Williams’ hospital bills were costly, and it meant that she had to pay those expenses instead of her mortgage. She had issues with her bathroom faucet at the same time and received a major water bill on top of the damages to her bathroom caused by the plumbing issues. JALA housing counselor Carmen Curtis-Skownronski was able to obtain over $4,000 from the City of Jacksonville’s Foreclosure Intervention Program. This brought her mortgage up to date, and Ms. Williams is no longer in fear of foreclosure. Ms. Williams expressed her sincere gratitude, saying, “I felt overwhelmed and stressed, but your support made a real difference.”
A lifelong commitment to pro bono
Joshua “Josh” Gostel’s journey into pro bono work began during his years at Georgetown Law, where he first discovered his passion for helping those with limited resources. While volunteering with the Capital Area Immigrant Rights Coalition in Washington, D.C., he provided free legal assistance to detained immigrants, planting the seeds for what would become a lifelong commitment to pro bono service. After seven years in practice focusing primarily on commercial and construction litigation, Gostel moved to Jacksonville in 2021 and immediately sought opportunities to continue his pro bono work in his new community. It was then that he connected with JALA’s Pro Bono Unit, where he has since become an invaluable volunteer attorney.
Evicted despite paying rent: One Jacksonville renter says cases like hers are fueling the affordable housing crisis
A Jacksonville renter says her “affordable” apartment turned into a legal and financial nightmare after she tried to pay rent and then
Best-selling author Stephanie Land to headline JALA’s Equal Justice Awards Celebration
Best-selling author and economic justice advocate Stephanie Land whose memoir was the inspiration for Netflix’s Golden Globe and Emmy Award-nominated original series Maid, will deliver the keynote address at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s 23rd Equal Justice Awards Sept. 18 at the Jacksonville Public Library. Land’s bestselling debut memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive recounts her harrowing saga as a single mom navigating the poverty trap. Her unflinching testimony exposes the physical, economic, and social brutality that domestic workers face, all while radiating a parent’s hope and dedication. JALA’s Equal Justice Awards features the presentation of the Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Award, named for a former JALA board member and longtime supporter. It is bestowed on a person or organization who has notably promoted the cause of equal justice for low-income residents of Northeast Florida.
JALA helps daughter regain title to her home after her father’s death
“Emily,” not her real name, deeded her home to her father so he could have a nice place to live and get a homestead exemption. Her father later passed away, and after a year had passed, she reached out to JALA for assistance, but her sister had hired a private attorney to handle the matter, so JALA closed the case. Eight months later, Emily reached out to JALA again after the private attorney failed to file any pleadings on the case. Once two years had passed since Emily’s father had passed way, JALA staff attorney Jessica Farmer was able to file the probate as a summary administration with Emily's mother as the beneficiary. Emily’s mother, who lived in a nursing home, then signed a deed transferring the property back to Emily, who now has her house back in her name and can apply for a homestead exemption. “You have no idea how happy you have made me,” Emily wrote in a thank you note.
JALA housing counselor helps widow assume her mortgage
Betty Nell Reaves Green came to JALA for help after her husband passed away and the mortgage company told her and her daughter that they needed to go through probate. In fact, spouses can become successor in interest and then assume the loan without probate after a death or divorce. They need the income to support the mortgage and decent credit for the assumption process. Probate is needed when there is more than one person who could become the owner, such as if both parents are deceased and there are multiple children. Betty just needed help becoming successor in interest and assuming the loan. JALA Housing Counselor Carmen Curtis-Skowronski helped Betty and her daughter with phone calls to the lender. They have now signed the closing documents and assumed the loan. “My case was handled professionally and actually went quicker than I thought possible,” Betty said. Betty’s story is a good example of how JALA’s housing counselors can often help families resolve everyday problems efficiently and effectively.
Jacksonville Eviction Diversion Program
The Jacksonville Eviction Diversion Program is a comprehensive, community-driven initiative aimed at preventing evictions and promoting housing stability across Duval County, Florida. This program was launched in early 2024 through a collaboration between the City of Jacksonville, United Way of Northeast Florida, the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA), and The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS). Together, these organizations offer resources for both tenants and landlords to address housing-related challenges, prevent eviction filings, and sustain long-term housing stability.
JALA attorney helps son avoid foreclosure on his late mother’s home
“Marcus,” not his real name, was half owner of the home he and his brother had inherited from their mother, but he was in danger of losing it. The brother who had inherited the other half had passed away, and a foreclosure case was pending on the home. Before JALA attorney Carol Miller could stop the foreclosure, she had to file a probate case for the estate of Marcus’s brother. Through the probate process, the court transferred the brother’s share to Marcus. Miller then submitted the court orders as an urgent matter, and being sole owner of the home, Marcus was able to sell the property to avoid the foreclosure. Fortunately, Marcus had found a buyer for the property, and with the closing just a day away and the home finally in his name, he was able to close on the sale. Miller’s swift action helped Marcus avoid losing his inheritance.
Worker overturns her Reemployment Assistance denial with guidance from JALA
“Muriel,” not her real name, came to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid for help after being improperly denied Reemployment Assistance benefits. She had taken a job with a government agency as an insurance claims adjuster, having been promised that she would receive mentoring in the role, which was new to her. For the first year, her employment went well, but then a number of claims adjusters left the department, leaving Muriel with a much greater workload and without the benefit of a mentor or any day-to-day supervision. Under the circumstances, Muriel’s job performance began to suffer, and instead of addressing her repeated requests for support, her managers gave her one performance warning after another, ultimately placing her on a Performance Improvement Plan. In the meantime, repeated power failures caused the computer system in the office to go down frequently over the course of a month, negatively affecting the timeliness of her claims resolution.