Fraz Ahmed | Jacksonville Bar Association president
Our Jacksonville Bar Association started with 33 members in the charter year of 1897 to encourage collegiality and maintain the honor and dignity in the practice of law, aid in the administration of justice and foster professionalism and ethics in the legal profession.
The JBA was formally incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in July 1952. Today, we have a diverse membership of nearly 2,000 members.
Since its inception, the JBA has been a cornerstone of the Jacksonville community. That is, in large part, because of its distinct group of members, who have a wide array of interests and passions.
For decades, JBA members have been, and continue to be, involved in volunteer, civic and community organizations. You would be hard-pressed to attend a meeting of another Jacksonville organization and not find a member of the JBA involved in that group.
One of the JBA’s most significant contributions to the Jacksonville community was the creation of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. JALA was developed in 1932, during the Great Depression, when a group of JBA attorneys decided to come together to provide free legal services to those in need.
In furtherance of its mission, the JBA created the Lawyer Referral Service in 1961, which has helped pair thousands of Jacksonville’s citizens with legal representation.
As part of the JBA’s continued commitment to serving the Jacksonville community, for the past 20 years, and in partnership with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the JBA has sponsored its Holiday Project, which has provided necessities for hundreds of seniors in need.
The Young Lawyers Section of the JBA continues to host successful annual community events like the chili cook-off, poker tournament and golf tournament, each of which consistently raises money for various charitable organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Sanctuary on 8th Street, Best Buddies and Clarke Schools for Hearing & Speech, to name a few.
An annual highlight of the JBA is our Law Day celebration. Law Day is a nationally recognized day where local Bar associations across the country host events designed to celebrate the role of the law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession.
Contrary to its name, for the JBA, Law Day is a month filled with educational and volunteer opportunities, programs and events.
During Law Day Citizenship Day, members of the JBA assist legal immigrants complete the U.S. Naturalization Application.
The Law Day School and Art Supply Drive collects and donates items to local elementary schools in need. The Law Day Toiletry Drive collects personal care products for Downtown Ecumenical Services.
Law Day’s Rendezvous on the Rooftop (formerly Rendezvous on the River) is a social event that raises money in support of Dreams Come True, an organization that grants the wishes of terminally ill children.
One of the reasons the Jacksonville legal community stands out from others around the state is the collegial relationship of the JBA and the 4th Circuit judiciary. The JBA works closely with the local judges to maintain the highest levels of integrity and professionalism.
That is why practicing here in Jacksonville is unlike practicing in other jurisdictions throughout the state.
The JBA is truly fortunate to have a judiciary that is actively involved in promoting the JBA’s mission and judges who participate in CLE events, lunch and learns and other programming.
These are just a few of the many reasons we celebrate the JBA’s 125th anniversary. It was amazing to see the generations of JBA members unite at the 125th celebration at the Garden Club on Sept. 8.
Thank you to our dedicated members who came before us who worked tirelessly to make the JBA what it is today.
Let’s keep the mission going for another 125 years.
Disaster aid needed and we can help
For the past few years, Florida has been spared a direct hit from a hurricane. Unfortunately, that streak came to an end with Hurricane Ian.
It is with great sadness we hear the horror stories and watch the heartbreaking scenes of the devastation left behind in our neighboring counties and particularly in Southwest Florida.
It will not be a short road to recovery. Many lives have been lost. Significant infrastructure has been decimated and neighborhoods lost.
It is in times like this that the JBA can make an impact. Surrounding communities stepped up to the plate when we were in need and now it is our turn. Any amount of money you can donate will have an impact. Any amount of time you can volunteer will have an impact. Any amount of food or goods you can contribute will have an impact.
Please help our neighbors to the south by doing what you can.
To donate, go to https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf. To volunteer for The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Disaster Services Hotline, go to https://flayld.org/FEMA
Fraz Ahmed is a partner and board-certified trial attorney at Coker Law. He practices in the field of plaintiff personal injury including automobile accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, premises liability and negligent security.
