Last month, the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar held their executive committee meetings in Amelia Island.
Attorneys Camille Bailey, Sandy Boisrond, John C.W. Cherneski, Danielle Clark, Sara Harmon, Lyudmyla Kolyesnik, Lisa Super and Arienne Valencia participated in the “RPPTL Fellows Project” on Feb. 7 at the Nassau County Council on Aging, Janice Ancrum Senior Life Center in Fernandina Beach.
Spearheaded by attorney John C.W. Cherneski, the clinic provided estate planning services to members of the senior community.
Attorneys drafted wills, advance directives and in some cases ladybird deeds for clients.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Unit conducts these “one stop shop” style clinics where clients receive advice from attorneys, have their documents drafted and printed on-site, sign and leave with their original estate planning documents.
Thanks to the great work of our pro bono superstars, 10 clients received estate planning services, constituting more that 20 cases through legal aid.
To put that into perspective, the value of in-kind legal services for this clinic was approximately $10,000.
When it comes to recruiting attorneys, it’s often better to hear from other pro bono attorneys as opposed to me, and Cherneski said it best: “Providing pro bono legal services through JALA is always rewarding. As members of The Florida Bar, we are expected to provide 20 hours of pro bono legal services each year. JALA makes it easy for lawyers to meet this professional responsibility in a meaningful way.”
Whether volunteering at a JALA clinic or taking a case from JALA’s Pro Bono Unit, JALA supports volunteer lawyers by providing training materials and form documents where appropriate.
Coverage through JALA’s professional insurance also makes it easier for volunteer attorneys to take a case outside of their firm’s practice areas. A pro bono case in a new area of law can be a great way to learn and gain experience.
Lawyers can also earn CLE credit for providing pro bono services because of recent amendments to Bar rules.
I encourage each member of the Jacksonville legal community to volunteer at the next JALA legal clinic or review the summaries of cases needing placement on the pro bono page of JALA’s website.
Projects like the one spearheaded by Cherneski serve a vital role in our community and there’s certainly plenty more work to do.
Pro bono transcends the 4th Circuit, so regardless of where you practice in Florida, there is a place for you at JALA.
If you would like to get involved or have an idea for a pro bono project, let me know. There are many cases awaiting placement which are 100% remote. We likewise host remote, hybrid and in-person clinics.
One of our goals is to make it easy for you to participate at JALA and we will provide you with resources.
For those interested in getting involved, visit www.jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono where you can find volunteer opportunities, including cases awaiting placement.