By Aaron Irving | Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Director of Pro Bono
Most practicing attorneys are aware of the moral and ethical duties we have, as members of The Florida Bar, to “never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed,” included in the Oath of Admission.
It is no coincidence that this language is specifically placed at the end of our oath. It is that important.
Many, myself included, sometimes neglect this part of our oath. That said, I commend anyone that donated their time and energy assisting those in need.
We can do better. We as a community must, because pro bono matters.
On Sept. 1, I left behind my private practice at Integrity Law P.A., to join Jacksonville Area Legal Aid as its new director of pro bono.
Many know my two predecessors, Kathy Para and Missy Davenport. I know I have big shoes to fill and I know our community is forever thankful for their service.
We are restructuring the Pro Bono Unit, as well as our engagement and presence within the greater Jacksonville community.
In doing so, we need your help. We want to raise the bar on what the Pro Bono Unit at JALA not only does for our community, but also show its value in doing so.
Currently, JALA’s Pro Bono Unit receives neither federal nor state funding for the services it provides – for facilitating all of the pro bono work done locally through JALA.
