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JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 6, 2024 – Pulitzer-prize-winning journalist and author Andrea Elliott will deliver the keynote address at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s 22nd Equal Justice Awards Sept. 18 at the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown.

Elliott has documented the lives of poor Americans, Muslim immigrants and other people on the margins of power. She is an investigative reporter for The New York Times and the author of Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival, and Hope in an American City, which won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction. Elliott also was awarded a 2007 Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. She is currently a Writer in Residence at Princeton University.

JALA’s Equal Justice Awards features the presentation of the Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Award, named for a former JALA board member and longtime supporter. It is bestowed on a person or organization who has notably promoted the cause of equal justice for low-income residents of Northeast Florida.

The 2024 honoree is the law firm of Pajcic & Pajcic, which has raised more than $1 million for JALA since 2012 through its annual Yard Golf & Lawn Party event.

Each year, the Pajcics have matched 100% of donations, including registrations, hole-in-one winner prizes and sponsorships.

The event encompasses the neighboring yards of both Steve Pajcic and Michael Pajcic and his wife, Katy DeBriere. Participants have a chance to win thousands in prize money, and there is a celebrity shoot-out featuring Jacksonville Jaguars players and former pro golfers.

“The generosity and commitment the Pajcics have shown JALA over more than a decade is positively extraordinary,” said JALA CEO Jim Kowalski. “They have created and grown an event that is not only highly successful as a fundraiser, but also a lot of fun and a chance to rub shoulders with sports celebrities.”

In addition to supporting JALA, the Pajcic family has been deeply invested in improving the lives of those in the community with a $2 million donation to Edward Waters University and a $1 million dollar endowment to The University of North Florida which has, to date, paid the tuition of more than 90 local students. Pajcic attorney Tom Slater, in addition to being a former JALA Board President, has also spearheaded the annual holiday fundraiser for JALA through the Jacksonville Justice Association and Florida Justice Association, and Pajcic attorney Ray Reid has served on The Florida Bar Foundation (now Funding Florida Legal Aid) board, assisting civil legal aid throughout the State.

“We applaud the Pajcic Firm for their extensive community involvement,” Kowalski said.

The Pajcic Firm was founded by brothers Steve and the late Gary Pajcic 50 years ago. Steve’s son Michael and Gary’s sons Curt, Curry, and Seth are partners in the firm today.

Tickets and event sponsorships can be purchased online at www.JaxLegalAid.org/EqualJusticeAwards. Cocktails and dinner are included. All donations will support the work of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. The event begins at 6 p.m.

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm focused on delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast. If you are an attorney wanting to volunteer with probate and heirs property issues, contact JALA Pro Bono Director Aaron Irving, at (904) 356-8371, Ext. 363, or Aaron.Irving@jaxlegalaid.org.