News

Jacksonville event celebrates World Refugee Day

Catholic Charities Jacksonville on Monday hosted a World Refugee Day celebration. The event was held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the nonprofit’s headquarters in the Jessie Ball duPont Center on East Adams Street in downtown Jacksonville. The celebration helped introduce city, religious and community leaders to the civic, faith-based and governmental organizations and agencies that serve refugees throughout Jacksonville. The event also honored refugees, service providers and community members who have worked together during the challenges of the resettlement process. In addition, the event included performances, health-enhancing activities, and interactive informational displays from local refugee organizations and others.

2022-06-21T10:41:07-04:00June 21st, 2022|News, Refugee/Immigration|

JALA receives cy pres award in health-care billing case

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid recently received a $51,356 cy pres award resulting from a case in which attorney Jordan A. Shaw represented a class of patients who were improperly billed by a hospital for the difference between the provider’s charge and the allowed amount under their insurance. Shaw, a partner at Zebersky Payne Shaw Lewenz, LLP, chairs the firm’s Consumer Litigation Practice Group and co-chairs its Commercial Litigation Practice Group.

2022-04-13T11:41:04-04:00April 13th, 2022|Cy Pres, News, Partners in Justice Spotlight|

Jacksonville veteran facing eviction receives help just in time

Eric Strickland was 24 hours away from being evicted when Jacksonville Area Legal Aid came to the rescue. Eric Strickland served our country for 13 years with 4 overseas deployments in the United States Army.  Currently, he's on disability from his job as a truck driver after dealing with a heart issue. He was served with an eviction notice after falling behind on rent.  "I always keep this with me, that's why I still have it," said Strickland while holding onto the American Flag that was given to him during his father's funeral. Strickland served in the Army during the Persian Gulf War, his father was in the military during WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

2022-04-02T08:43:22-04:00April 2nd, 2022|Fair Housing, News, Veterans Services|

Pajcic & Pajcic Yard Golf and Lawn Party is April 2

After play was suspended for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Pajcic & Pajcic Yard Golf and Lawn Party returns from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 2 along Montgomery and Richmond streets in Avondale. All donations and sponsorships are matched 100% by the law firm to benefit Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. Attorneys are asked to make a $50 donation, the public is invited for a $25 donation per person and children are admitted free.

2022-04-01T11:11:58-04:00April 1st, 2022|News, Pajcic & Pajcic|

Orange Park man facing eviction while waiting for Our Florida rent payments

Florida’s emergency rental assistance relief program, Our Florida, announced it sent more than $51 million to families between March 10 and March 23. Just how much of that money was actually deposited, and how much of it is really helping people? Action News Jax has been receiving emails and calls for help from several viewers, claiming their money was reportedly sent by the state but never arrived. A month ago, a Jacksonville woman was waiting on several checks. This time, it’s the same story again; a man in Orange Park was supposed to be evicted Wednesday, March 30. Eric Strickland’s apartment is currently empty. He has packed up all his belongings and moved his furniture to a friend’s house.

2022-03-31T11:45:08-04:00March 31st, 2022|Fair Housing, News, Uncategorized|

Jacksonville University president says new law school answers Fortune 500 demand

Jacksonville University President Tim Cost said Feb. 28 the institution’s decision to launch a College of Law meets demand from Fortune 500 companies to recruit talent and leadership with a legal background.  At a news conference at City Hall, Cost and Mayor Lenny Curry announced JU’s plans to open a law school in Downtown Jacksonville in the fall with $5 million in city backing. The JU president said Jacksonville-based companies, including Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Florida Blue and Black Knight Inc., look for leadership with a legal education.  Cost said about 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs have a Juris Doctor degree.

2022-03-01T10:32:43-05:00March 1st, 2022|News|

Demand is growing for civil legal aid in Northeast Florida

Business is booming at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. With offices in Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties, JALA employs about 70 attorneys and support staff to provide representation for low-income residents who have civil legal issues but cannot afford to hire a lawyer. “We’re just like any other big law firm,” said attorney Jim Kowalski, JALA president and CEO. The number of people asking for help from JALA is rising dramatically. In 2019, the total intake was 5,591 cases. In 2020, it grew to 6,471 cases and last year, 7,991 people asked for help with a civil legal problem. Domestic violence and other family law matters lead the list each year, increasing from about 1,300 cases in 2019 to more than 1,800 in 2021.

2022-02-25T11:43:00-05:00February 25th, 2022|News|
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