By Missy Davenport • JBA Pro Bono Committee co-chair
The Jacksonville Bar Association Pro Bono Committee works with organizations and committees throughout the 4th Judicial Circuit to identify meaningful pro bono projects that help fill the legal needs of low-income residents.
These include the 4th Circuit Pro Bono Committee, Guardian ad Litem, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Missing Link, the Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership, Three Rivers Legal Services and others.
With broad knowledge of the legal needs of our underserved community, JBA Pro Bono Committee members identify gaps in access to justice and the current projects addressing those needs.
One of the purposes of the committee is informing Northeast Florida attorneys of the many opportunities to serve our low-income residents with pro bono legal services as well as the ways in which the committee supports attorneys in these efforts.
The committee also works with other JBA committees to develop and maintain pro bono projects that are professionally and personally rewarding.
The committee implements regular pro bono projects, including the free legal advice Ask-A-Lawyer events offered in the community several times a year, Celebrate Pro Bono Month activities and the annual Presentation of the Pins ceremony honoring attorneys who donate 20 hours or more of their time yearly.
Volunteers always are needed and greatly appreciated. There are many and varied opportunities that fill critical needs in our community and provide attorneys with manageable pro bono involvement and professional development resources.
It’s easy to review opportunities online. Visit jaxbar.org, Standing Sections, Pro Bono. Scroll down and click on “View Local Pro Bono Opportunities.” You’ll be able to review cases in need of placement on the “Florida Pro Bono Matters” link on the left and many of the clinic and Ask-A-Lawyer opportunities on the right.
This program provides a tremendous opportunity to give back to the community and offers a rewarding experience for those who participate
The need has never been greater. Call on members of the JBA Pro Bono Committee to help you, your committee and your voluntary Bar associations find meaningful ways to provide pro bono legal assistance.
Contact any member directly, including Missy Davenport or Sarah Sullivan, co-chairs of the JBA Pro Bono Committee, at [email protected] and [email protected]. We are here to help you find your pro bono project.