Some people seeking legal guidance arrived before 8 a.m. for the Ask-A-Lawyer event that began at 9 a.m. Dec. 5 at the Johnson Family YMCA on Cleveland Road.
The staff members of the Johnson Y were ready to welcome attendees and volunteers.
Nine attorneys, two advisory board volunteers and one law student gathered to provide legal counsel and advice for members of the community.
Nearly 65 people received guidance on more than 70 legal matters in one-on-one interviews.
Attorneys advised in the areas of family law, probate, guardianship, criminal law, bankruptcy, collections, foreclosure, contracts, real estate, landlord/tenant, tax, immigration and personal injury.
Spanish speakers were available to provide translation.
The pro bono attorneys were Koko Head, Dulce Fazel, Enrique Barquinero, Michelle White, Jonathan Graessle, Melina Buncome, Latangie Williams, Laura Gapske and Dan Bean.
Florida Coastal School of Law student Kenneth Sleets was there to provide administrative assistance and to watch the consultation interviews.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid advisory board volunteers Bobby Bell and Paris Owens were there to welcome attendees, sign them in and answer general questions.
“This is very important. What you’re doing here today is very important,” said one attendee.
Another offered appreciation after his consultation. “I’m so relieved,” he said. “That was so very helpful. Thank you for being here. Really, I can’t thank you enough.”
The volunteers served each person who came seeking information with respect and compassion.
They answered questions, provided information on legal options and community resources, and in many cases, offered hope and direction.
Facing a problem requires courage and energy. Taking a first step toward solving the problem requires even more.
For many of the attendees, Ask-A-Lawyer provided the information needed to enable the attendees to take that first step toward stability and resolution.
Each event aims to provide legal guidance and direction, as well as information on additional community resources for people in need.
Attendees may be referred to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, The Jacksonville Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, Three Rivers Legal Services and/or to a community service agency.
The events are made possible because of the collaboration of the JBA, the D.W. Perkins Bar Association, Florida Coastal School of Law, JALA and City Council.
The events are held quarterly in locations easily accessible to low-income people and the under-served.
More than 200 people were served in 2015 with Ask-A-Lawyer opportunities. The 2016 events will be 9 a.m. to noon on four Saturdays.
Dates and locations are:
• March 19: SOS Academy, 6974 Wilson Blvd.
• June 19: Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corp., 3416 Moncrief Road
• Sept. 17: Florida State College at Jacksonville Downtown Campus, rooms T140 and T141, 401 W. State St.
• Dec. 3: Johnson Family YMCA, 5700 Cleveland Road
The goal of Ask-A-Lawyer is to take information and provide guidance to members of the community who may not otherwise be able access the expertise of an attorney.
We know that, as attorneys, we don’t always tell people what they want to hear.
However, with the belief that knowledge is power, we know that with sound information and direction, people are better equipped to get the help they need and/or resolve the matters themselves.
Access to the legal community must not be limited to those who can afford to pay for that access. It is informed advocacy on both sides that protects the integrity of our system of justice.
Ask-A-Lawyer events empower and encourage people to resolve their legal issues and the barriers they face.
The efforts of the Ask-A-Lawyer team of Dec. 5 are applauded and appreciated.
Attorneys interested in volunteering for Ask-A-Lawyer or other pro bono opportunities in the 4th Judicial Circuit should contact Para at [email protected].