Pro Bono

2023’s Class of 40 Under 40: Alessandro Apolito of Lippes Mathias LLP

What has been your biggest accomplishment over the course of your career? My biggest accomplishment so far has been receiving the 2020 Florida Young Lawyers Division's Lynn Futch award for the most productive young lawyer. This is a statewide award presented to the most productive young lawyer in the state. How are you involved in the community outside of work (board positions, etc.)? I have previously been active in the community through my involvement with the Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association, where I have held various positions, including the role of president in 2020. As part of my involvement with the Young Lawyers Section I have volunteered and helped to raise money for a number of local charitable organizations that include Rethreaded, the Anthony Stinson Association for Change, Clarke School for Hearing and Speech, and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.

2023-05-22T10:21:46-04:00April 21st, 2023|News, Pro Bono|

2023’s Class of 40 Under 40: Ashlea A. Edwards of Akerman LLP

What has been your biggest accomplishment over the course of your career? I have had successful outcomes and experience with trials, appeals, and cases that have been memorable, including successfully defending an appeal with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals for the City of Neptune Beach, successfully defending claims made against a large airline and national big box store in a variety of forums, and assisting local charities seek and obtain 501(c)(3) status. Additionally, I do rewarding work with the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid where I assist qualified individuals through the probate process after a loved one has passed away.

2023-05-22T10:22:33-04:00April 21st, 2023|News, Pro Bono|

JALA helps woman get disaster relief to restore her home after hurricane

After Hurricane Irma damaged her Hastings home, “Anita,” 60, who has disabilities, sought help from Restore St. Johns, the county’s hurricane housing recovery program. While Restore St. Johns was willing to repair or rebuild her home, the property had never been probated out of her late mother’s name. JALA, with the help of a pro bono title expert, sorted out the potential heirs and was able to get consent from Anita’s siblings to have the title transferred from their mother’s estate.

2024-01-04T11:42:27-05:00March 1st, 2023|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Pro Bono|

Joseph Clay Davis Meux

Joseph “Joe” Clay Davis Meux died on November 21st, 2022 at the age of 94. He was born in Memphis, TN on October 10th, 1928 to William Leigh Meux and Doris Davis Meux. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Freitag Meux; children, Joseph “Clay” Davis Meux Jr (Elizabeth) and John Edward Meux; grandchildren, Olivia and Davis; brother-in-law, John William “Bill” Freitag (Donna); nieces, Bette “Lou” Meux Solomon (William), Doris Ann “Dee” Meux, Christina Freitag Martin (Patrick); and great niece, Ella Greer Martin.

2022-11-29T10:33:50-05:00November 29th, 2022|News, Pro Bono|

Service to others is part of our oath

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.

2022-10-07T10:45:31-04:00October 7th, 2022|News, Pro Bono|

St. Johns County Legal Aid Honors its Volunteers

St. Johns County Legal Aid presented its 2021 Pro Bono Awards via zoom to the following attorneys and “Most Helpful Clerk” of the year. On the top row from the left are legal aid staff Megan Wall, Savannah Stevens and Elizabeth Teelon. In second row from the top are honorees Vincent Sullivan and Pam Holcomb, staffer Michael Pelkowski, and Judge Kenneth Janesk. In the next row down are Jim Kowalski, director of Jacksonville Legal Aid, Judge Howard McGillin, and honorees Tania Schmidt-Alpers and Carol Daniels. On the bottom are honorees Tom Pycraft, Jay Grife, Christina Collins (winner of the Most Helpful Clerk of Court Award), and Jim Middleton. Others recognized but not pictured are Donato Ronaldi and Eva Paulk.

2022-01-27T13:08:57-05:00January 27th, 2022|News, Pro Bono|

Twenty Lawyers will receive Florida Bar Pro Bono awards in Supreme Court Ceremony January 20

The Florida Bar will recognize 20 lawyers for their work on behalf of low-income and disadvantaged clients at a Jan. 20 ceremony at the Supreme Court of Florida. Established in 1981, The Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Awards are intended to encourage lawyers to volunteer free legal services to the poor by recognizing those who make public service commitments and to raise public awareness of the substantial volunteer services provided by Florida lawyers to those who cannot afford legal fees. Florida Bar President Mike Tanner will present the 2022 awards.

2022-01-11T11:16:38-05:00January 11th, 2022|News, Pro Bono|

Pro Bono: Attorneys help family move and recover its security deposit

Now in its fourth year, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Eviction Defense Self Help Project focuses on assisting tenants facing an eviction or dealing with unsafe conditions in a rental residence owned by a private landlord. Stable housing often is the foundation for steady employment, educational achievement, good mental and physical health and economic autonomy. The project originated from a collaboration with Smith, Gambrell & Russell and the law firm continues to support the effort with several attorneys volunteering each month.

2021-12-02T11:38:08-05:00December 2nd, 2021|Family Law, News, Pro Bono|
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