Stacey DeVall is Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Pro Bono Unit’s new deputy director, effective May 19.
We are welcoming her back as she was a staff attorney in JALA’s St. Johns County office from 2020 to 2021.
Before rejoining JALA, DeVall was a general magistrate in the 4th Judicial Circuit Court from 2021 to 2025.
She aided family law division judges by conducting temporary, final and post-judgment hearings in a variety of domestic relations matters.
DeVall received an undergraduate degree from the University of Mary Washington in 2006 and her juris doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2012.
In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, spending time with her family and supporting her kids in all their various sports activities.
DeVall’s pro bono involvement started in 2006 when she became a licensed foster parent while she lived in Virginia.
“That’s where this journey begins. I fostered many children and eventually adopted one child as a single parent. Although you are reimbursed expenses as a foster parent, your role as a foster parent is unpaid. It was through this role as a foster parent that got me into the law and brought me to court for the first time. It made me want to help more families, more children,” DeVall said.
After entering law school, she became a volunteer guardian ad litem and later volunteered in the dependency system as a pro bono attorney ad litem.
“I was committed to always having at least one pro bono case, usually more, at any given time when I ran my own firm,” DeVall said.
JALA helps residents in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Nassau, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor and Union counties.
“Not only is JALA an employee-friendly company, one who values the talents of their staff, but the company does so much for the community.
“Every staff member, attorney, and volunteer work each day to provide services that would otherwise be unavailable for others in the community. I am excited to come back to such a community-based program and help expand the pro bono department,” DeVall said.
We cannot accomplish our work for the community without your continued support, time, and energy.
The Pro Bono Unit provides lawyers a platform to volunteer with guidance and support along the way including research tools such as access to Westlaw, paying costs for clients, malpractice insurance coverage, expert resources and more.
There are in-person and remote opportunities in which to serve. In fact, most of our clinics have a “remote” option for you to participate.
Take a moment to visit www.jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono where you can find a range pf volunteer opportunities. Alternatively, send an email to [email protected] if you have additional questions or interests.