For this year’s Law Day theme, the American Bar Association and Bar associations across the country are celebrating the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta.
At this point, some of you are already reaching to turn the page or have ink imprinted on the side of your face.
Although it may not be your favorite memory from school, it’s the reason the legal system exists today, the reason we have due process and the reason we enjoy the liberties we do.
The same principles of Magna Carta are embodied in what some may consider important documents known as the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. Magna Carta established not only the right to justice and a fair trial, but that every person, including the sovereign, was subject to the rule of law.
Last fall, Jacksonville was the only city in Florida to display the traveling exhibit, “Magna Carta: Enduring Legacy 1215-2015.”
The Chester Bedell American Inn of Court raised $10,000 to bring the exhibit to the Duval County Courthouse. The contributors included local law firms, The Jacksonville Bar Association and the Jacksonville chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
It is only appropriate that this year’s Law Day theme is “Magna Carta: Symbol of Freedom Under Law.”
Law Day is an annual event that marks our commitment to the rule of law. It was conceived by ABA President Charles Rhynes in 1957 and made official in 1961 when Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day.
Throughout the month of April and leading into early May, the JBA Law Day Committee, which is being chaired by Shea Moser, will work tirelessly to organize events that will be open to the public.
The seventh annual Rendezvous on the River will be 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at Fionn McCools in Downtown.
All of the proceeds benefit Dreams Come True of Jacksonville, a nonprofit whose mission is to grant dreams of terminally ill children. Dreams include meeting celebrities, trips to Disney World and shopping sprees.
The evening will include hors d’oeuvres, drink specials, a band and raffle prizes. Please be sure to invite your friends, relatives and colleagues.
Tickets are $15 online, $25 at the door and $10 for Florida Coastal School of Law students.
Tickets can be purchased at dreamscometrue.org. For more information, please contact John Wallace at [email protected] or (904) 356-1306.
On Friday, Mayor Alvin Brown will sign the Law Day proclamation, which officially declares May 1 as Law Day in Jacksonville. The ceremony will be attended by members of the judiciary, Law Day Committee and JBA Board of Governors.
National Citizenship Day will take place at Florida Coastal from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. The day is designed to help applicants pursue their dream of becoming American citizens.
Law students will help applicants fill out the application for naturalization. Volunteer attorneys will review the application and corresponding documentation for completeness and accuracy.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Kathy Para at [email protected] .
The Elementary School Poster Contest will take place during the month of April. Volunteer attorneys will go to Windy Hill and S.P. Livingston elementary schools to teach lessons that incorporate this year’s Law Day theme.
During the classes, students will make posters expressing what Magna Carta means to them.
The posters will be on display at the Duval County Courthouse and members of the public will vote for their favorite. The winners will be presented an award on behalf of the Law Day Committee. For more information, please contact Jessica Mathis at [email protected] or Cynthia Trimmer at [email protected].
An art supply drive to benefit S.P. Livingston and Windy Hill elementary schools and a toiletries drive to help Downtown Ecumenical Services will also take place in April. There will be collection boxes located at law firms and businesses Downtown and the Southbank.
A special thank you to the following firms for agreeing to host a collection box: Moseley, Prichard, Parrish, Knight & Jones; Boyd & Jenerette; Three Rivers Legal Services; Kubicki Draper; Foley & Lardner; U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development; Jacksonville Area Legal Aid; Gray Robinson; Duval County Courthouse; Wounded Warrior Project; Bedell, Dittmar, Devault, Pillans & Coxe; Rogers Towers; Smith Hulsey & Busey; and Gunster.
The sixth annual Law Day at Edwards & Ragatz to benefit Jacksonville Area Legal Aid will be 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. April 30. The event will take place in the lobby and veranda level of EverBank Plaza located at 501 Riverside Ave.
The evening will feature live music, food and drinks. A $25 donation is encouraged. Please invite friends, relatives and colleagues. All of the proceeds will be donated. For more information, contact Lindsay Tygart-Ahmed at [email protected].
The Law Day Naturalization Ceremony, where individuals will take the oath to become American citizens, will take place at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse at 10:30 a.m. April 30 before U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger.
The ceremony will begin with the U.S. Navy color guard, followed by a special address from keynote speaker Crystal Freed and a message from President Barack Obama. For information, please contact Megan Kelberman at [email protected].
The festivities will conclude May 13 with the Law Day Luncheon at the Omni. This is one luncheon you will not want to miss as we were extremely fortunate to secure ABA President William Hubbard as the keynote speaker.
None of this would have been possible without the hard work and endless hours of time devoted by the Law Day Committee.
Please be sure to thank Shea Moser (second go-around as Law Day Chair), Lindsay Tygart-Ahmed (Salem Grace in one hand and laptop in the other), Amber Allred, Alex Hill, Megan Kelberman, Kelli Lueckert, Jessica Mathis, Chardea Murray, Emily O’Leary, Ingrid Osborn, Jeremy Paul, Joni Poitier, Brad Russell, BJ Taylor, Cynthia Trimmer, John Wallace, Todd Wright, Brandon Campbell, Kathy Para and Chelsea Winicki.