Do You Love Pro Bono Work?

If you love pro bono work, you may want to consider practicing in Mississippi - a state demonstrating its committment to pro bono initiatives of attorneys. In a recent article, it was suggested that the state is requiring a pro bono mandate for its attorneys. To read the entire article about this effort, click HERE.

HINT!!! Interested in learning more about pro bono work at Florida Coastal? Click HERE.

Interesting Take On Pro Bono Work ...

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal, incidated that "the Mississippi Supreme Court is considering a proposed rule to require lawyers in the state to provide at least 20 hours of pro bono work. The rule has been proposed to try to help the thousands of low-income residents in the state who can not afford a lawyer in civil matters, according to this article in The Clarion-Ledger. There’s certainly a growing number of people nationwide who can not afford counsel, as the WSJ recently reported. But Mississippi lawyers are still none too happy that altruism may be forced upon them, the Clarion-Ledger reports. (Click here to see Above the Law’s take on the proposed rule.) “Other than perhaps the priesthood, I am unaware of any profession which requires its members, as a condition of their right to practice their craft, to contribute a portion of their income to charity,” attorney Don Lacy wrote in a letter to the supreme court.

If Mississippi does adopt mandatory pro bono, could it be legally challenged?

For more information about this interesting twist on pro bono work, click here to access the full article.

Looking For Creative Ways To Network in Florida?

Try utlizing this website: Florida Pro Bono

Lists of current projects is available. What a great way to meet attorneys interested in the type of work you are while giving back to the community.

Getting Your Student Loans Forgiven!

***UPCOMING WEBINAR***

GETTING YOUR STUDENT LOANS FORGIVEN: How government and nonprofit employees can earn Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• Wednesday, May 26, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
(10:30 a.m. CDT, 8:30 a.m. PDT)

Space is limited, so participants are required to register
at http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/

Pro Bono... Why It Matters

Pro Bono work should be part of any practicing attorney's plan. Take a moment from studying and read the opinions of Dawn Levine, an attorney practicing in Marietta, GA. In this article, Ms. Levine discusses the top 8 reasons she completes pro bono work. You may find some inspiration in her words.

"Many of us went to law school imagining that we would be the next Atticus Finch. And while "thanks" with a paycheck feels good, the thanks you get from your clients when you took their case for nothing feels good on a completely different, but very real level. My pro bono clients have sent me cards, letters of thanks, flowers and cookies. They have hugged me with tears in their eyes and proudly introduced me as "their attorney" to their family... to keep reading, click HERE."

Interested In Making A Difference In Florida?

The Migrant Farmworker Justice Project is looking for some excellent volunteers. If you want to enter the fight for equal justice for farmworkers, please e-mail the Director of the Migrant Farmworker Justice Project for more information.

Save The Date

On Wednesday, April 14th at 3:00pm EDT, NALP and the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) are presenting “Top Ten Tips for a Successful Summer Internship in a Public Interest Office…and What to Avoid.” This free webinar will help law students make the most of their summer experiences in civil legal services organizations and public defenders’ offices by offering concrete tips from both public interest attorneys with extensive experience in supervising law students and law school public interest advisors who counsel students on maximizing professional development opportunities. The webinar will be led by Jennifer Thomas, Director of Legal Recruiting for the D.C. Public Defender Service, and Phyllis Holmen, Executive Director of the Georgia Legal Services Program.

To Register: The webinar will be offered live on April 14th and archived for later viewing. All students and law school career professionals who are interested in participating on April 14th should e-mail Kevin Mills, Director of Membership at NLADA at membership@nlada.org , and provide your full name, e-mail address, and a phone number. Please type "Student Webinar" in the email subject line.

Pro Bono Work ... Are You On Board?

A recent Florida-Times Union editorial discussed a new push in Florida to promote pro bono work among practicing attorneys. The campaign, "One client, one attorney, one promise" focuses on encouraging Florida attorneys to give back to the community through pro bono work. As a law student, you can start this practice now --- both to give back as well as to start networking with practicing attorneys. To read the entire editorial, click HERE.

Attention Alumni ... Get Involved!

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid will be offering area attorneys three two-hour continuing legal education seminars over the next three months focusing specifically on small claims and the closely related issue of garnishment. The free seminars, held on Fridays (March 19, April 16 and May TBA) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Jacksonville City Hall, will count for 2.5 CLE credits each. For more information including registration details, click HERE.

Experience Is Key!

A recent article written for UK law students offers some universal truths for U.S. law students. While some of the advice is definitely aimed specifically for a UK audience, the importance of getting legal experience while in law school is emphasized with the same importance students on the other side of the pond should follow. Some of our favorite advice states that law students should do pro bono work because it "provides a great opportunity to gain experience in the legal sector as you will have direct contact with clients. It also demonstrates a commitment to the profession." For more advice on the importance of getting legal experience for law students across the globe, click HERE.

New Partnership For Pro Bono Work In Jacksonville

A recent article, Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership to expand pro bono services, described a new partnership in Jacksonville, focusing on both medical and legal needs to low-income populations. The article notes, "two professions that have in the past worked separately to help Jacksonville’s low-income community have now joined forces in the Northeast Florida Legal Medical Partnership (NFMLP) to provide integrated medical-legal services to our area’s low-income and vulnerable populations. The law firm of Holland and Knight, representatives from medical associations, hospitals, law firms, and bar associations met Feb. 2 for a kick-off meeting of the newly formed .... to continue reading about this exciting new partnership, click HERE.

Think Pro Bono!

Pro Bono Work is a GREAT idea for all law students. If you are looking for a list of possible pro bono work, look no further. The ABA has compiled a fantastic list for opportunities nationwide. Look for your opportunity today.

Volunteer Positions Available

The Family Nurturing Center of Florida (FNC) is looking for student volunteers.

FNC was the first visitation center in the state of Florida. Since 1993, FNC has provided over 25,000 visitation and exchanges and 10,000 parenting classes for first coast residents. In 2008, FNC provided 3,466 visitations, exchanges, and parenting contacts.

Students will meet with participants on an individual basis to complete orientations for services. You will ensure participants understand the contract for services and release of information, and answer questions regarding program operations. You will ensure participants are able to use the web-based client file system.

Students will be expected to represent the Family Nurturing Center programs from a general perspective in domestic violence injunction hearings. You will need to have familiarity with program services and policies and procedures, and will provide answers to questions regarding process (not case specific). Students should also be prepared to advocate for FNC as the designated visitation and exchange provider (i.e. redirect movement from base exchanges, etc.)

For more information including application instructions, click HERE.

Looking For Inspiration? Consider Pro Bono Work

Florida attorneys have shown a committment to pro bono work. In a recent article, attorneys working for the Guardian ad Litem program in Tallahassee talk about their important work in representing children across the state. It's not too early to start now. Contact your local Guardian ad Litem office to learn how you can help a child today!

Spring Break 2010 Farmworker Justice Immersion Project

The Spring Break 2010 Farmworker Justice Immersion Project will provide 30 FCSL student volunteers the opportunity to assist Florida Legal Services Inc. Migrant Farmworker Justice Project (“FLS”) lawyers collect and acquire critically needed field evidence that that will be used in the development and prosecution of new and ongoing farmworker cases. Spend your Spring Break making a difference in the lives and working conditions of one of the nation’s most exploited communities - - farmworkers. This year’s Spring Break 2010 Farmworker Justice Immersion Project focuses on two specific farmworker populations, workers in the fern industry and seasonal migrants who are used to harvest potatoes on Northeast Florida’s potato farms. FCSL students can expect to do client interviews, advocacy outreach, and spot legal research based on conditions and field data collected during the week’s outreach activities. The Project will run from March 15th through March 19th.

Registration, Training and Other Details

1. An informational meeting will be held on January 21st at noon.

2. Registration will take place on January 28th at noon and interested students will have the opportunity to register and meet with FLS lawyers.

Students interested must attend the January 28th registration session and two February training sessions conducted by FLS lawyers. FCSL student volunteers will receive pro bono credits for their participation and will obtain invaluable experience in working with clients, advocacy and legal research and writing. Interested students should watch for information about the initial meetings in January.

For further information, you can contact Professors Hornstein and Millard.

A little time for refelction ...

Law students are busy people. This fact remains true no matter where or when you attended law school. While immersed in one's studies, it is often difficult to remember about the moral and ethical obligation future lawyers have to serve the under served through pro bono work. In a recent acceptance speech for a national pro bono award, one Northwestern law student reflected on his service in law school and the impact it had on his life. It is certainly worth sharing for inspiration to give back in your own way as both a law student as a future attorney.

"People often ask me why I volunteer so much. Why do I serve? It’s because I know what it’s like to be in need. I know the pain. I know the heartache, the financial hardships and emotional turmoil. Given that, how dare I ignore the hungry? Who am I to turn my back on the children who have been told they’ll never make it? How can I consider writing articles and pontificate on the foreclosure crisis or Katrina when I have the power to help make it better? I give back because I know from personal experience the type of impact one person can have on another’s life. So I don’t see volunteering as simply volunteering, I see service as an obligation, a duty.... " To continue reading the full text of this moving speech, click HERE.

Pro Bono/Volunteer Opportunities at Public Defender’s Office

Current law students and those looking to pursue a career in the legal system are encouraged to contact the Office of Fourth Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk and inquire about Pro Bono hours or volunteer opportunities in the Investigations Unit.

“Hands-on, real world experience is invaluable in today’s job market and it is an impressive qualification on a resume to show a history of performing investigation functions for a criminal law firm such as the Public Defender’s office,” said Shirk. “We have upwards of 60,000 cases per year so there is never a shortage of work. I invite those looking for volunteer, public service opportunities or Pro Bono hours to contact my office.”

The volunteer in the Public Defender’s Office Investigation Unit is primarily concerned with the client interview, but may possibly be involved with:
• Performing online research
• Conducting interviews of witnesses, victims
• Accompanying staff to crime scenes to gather evidence
• Processing evidence for cases and sometimes trials
• Constructing court exhibits for criminal trial proceedings

Individuals interested in this type of volunteer work should contact the Office of the Public Defender either by phone or email to get started. Investigator Andrew Ewing coordinates the program; he can be reached at (904) 630-1579 or AET@PD4.coj.net. Mr. Shirk indicated that law students who enlist may be afforded Pro Bono hours through their law school and that his office will coordinate accordingly.

The Fourth Circuit Public Defender’s office consists of Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties and is centered in Downtown Jacksonville. The function of the court-appointed Defender came into existence in 1963 following the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Gideon vs. Wainwright, holding that the U.S. Constitution required the state to supply lawyers for those criminal defendants who could not afford to hire counsel. Originally, the Public Defender’s responsibilities were to represent indigents accused of non-capital felonies. Through case law and statutes, the Public Defender’s duties have grown.

Pro Bono Fall Forum At Florida Coastal

Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 29th, when Pro Bono is holding its annual Fall Forum. Representatives of numerous public interest agencies in Northeast Florida will be attending to share information with law students about volunteer opportunities in their organizations. A few examples of organizations that will be participating include:

~ Jacksonville Area Legal Aid

~ Three Rivers Legal Services

~ Learn to Read

~ HandsOn Jacksonville

~ Women's Center of Jacksonville

~ City Rescue Mission.

The event is being held in the atrium from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please join Pro Bono to find out how you can make a difference in the lives of others.

Career Services Tip . . . Experience is key for distinguishing yourself!!!!

Have you participated in a pro bono project? Celebrate Pro Bono week by learning about the projects Coastal Law supports. Click HERE for more information.