While working as a public defender in 2013, Ashley Goggins decided she wanted to give back to the community and get involved in pro bono work.
It was during this time that she visited Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s website and completed an attorney interest form. Upon doing so, JALA’s Pro Bono Unit contacted her and she started accepting seal and expunge cases pro bono.
It was not long before Goggins wanted to expand her pro bono involvement. She became interested in other areas of law, such as probate and general estate planning.
Fortunately, JALA has CLE materials, templates and other resources available to train volunteer attorneys in areas of law that are new to them. This is an added benefit to completing pro bono work through a legal aid organization.
As I do with almost every volunteer attorney, I asked Goggins why she does pro bono work.
“I do pro bono work because it brings me fulfillment when I know that I am directly contributing to bridging the justice gap by serving someone who would otherwise not have access to adequate legal representation. The pro bono work that I do enriches me just as much as it enriches those that I serve,” Goggins said.
As a volunteer, she has accepted family law, advance directives and sealing and expunging cases.
Of course, accepting individual cases is not the only way to volunteer through JALA. There are many non-case-related activities that require pro bono attorney participation.
Goggins routinely volunteers for JALA clinics. On the second Friday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., JALA hosts its Veterans Legal Collaborative at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Downtown Jacksonville where veterans may consult one-on-one with volunteer attorneys.
Several times a year, JALA hosts Wills and Advance Directive Clinics where clients have simple wills and/or advance directives drafted by pro bono attorneys.
Often, students from the University of Florida and Jacksonville University colleges of law attend these clinics and draft advance directives under the supervision of an attorney.
Goggins also volunteers for JALA’s Ask-A-Lawyer clinic at the Orange Park Public Library every other month on a Tuesday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. At these clinics, volunteer attorneys are only obliged to provide brief counsel and advice based on their areas of expertise but many accept cases for placement while at the clinic.
“Something that made an impact on me is just the gratitude the clients have for you when you take their cases, and it is a frequent reminder of why most of us went to law school in the first place - to help people,” Goggins said.
A graduate of Florida A&M University, Goggins then attended Stetson University where she received an MBA and in 2012, graduated from Stetson University College of Law.
After working as an assistant public defender for five years, she transitioned to private practice and opened Ashley Goggins Law, P.A. where she primarily practices family law.
In addition to her pro bono efforts, Goggins is a member of JALA’s board of directors.
In recognition of her continued pro bono work and commitment, Goggins was recognized at JALA’s 22nd Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Awards where she received the Kathy Para Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award for Achievements in 2023-24.
In her spare time, Goggins said she enjoys reading, especially psychological thrillers and memoirs.
Asked what message she would convey to other attorneys, Goggins said, “I would encourage others to just commit to taking one case. Lawyers are blessed with multi-faceted talents and we use what we are blessed with to help others. With great power comes great responsibility.”
If you are interested in getting involved, visit jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono, where you can find volunteer opportunities and cases awaiting placement.