The Jacksonville Area Legal Aid , JALA , developed during the Great Depression and the 1937 recession of a group of lawyers organized to provide pro bono legal services to those who can not pay for services. The Jacksonville Area Legal Aid was officially named in 1973, and received a 501 (c) (3) tax status in 1976. JALA is an intermediate law firm with over 50 lawyers and support staff offering free legal services to low-income clients at civil law matters covering public benefits, employment/unemployment law, family law, landlord-tenant disputes, fair housing, guardianship, refugees and asylum immigration, seizure protection, and consumer law. JALA works with Florida Coastal School of Law and has supported an accredited externships with Florida State University.
Video Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Funding and budget
JALA receives funds from the Florida Bar Foundation, a foundation that receives funding by collecting interest on a trust lawyer's account. Saint Johns County and Jacksonville also donate to JALA, although the Jacksonville City Council does not fund JALA "in 2013 or 2014, apart from special grants for specific programs such as veterans and homeless representatives." In 2008 and 2009, JALA received $ 1.2 million from the bar foundation; However, as JALA's interest rate cuts are impacted by 2014 and are only expected to receive $ 252,798 during fiscal 2015 and 2016. The result of a 2014 budget cut requires JALA to lay off employees, cut its services to low-income clients, and close offices to some day.
Maps Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Pro bono help
JALA offers free seminars and legal assistance to the public.
Civil Rights
JALA is the Law Enforcement Fair enforcement agency for Northeast Florida.
Family law
Monthly family law seminars are provided to assist families in marriage dissolution, parenting/father care, and modification of child support
Foreclosure and bankruptcy
JALA offers assistance to clients affected by foreclosures, and helps the City of Jacksonville develop strategies related to affected homes affected by the subprime mortgage crisis In addition, JALA provides bankruptcy assistance by holding free legal seminars and offers pro bono protection to individuals in bankruptcy.
Immigration
JALA operates the Refugee Immigration Project, a legal project designed to provide immigration assistance to asylum seekers, refugees and victims of trafficking in persons
Mental health
JALA operates the Mental Health Advocacy Project, a program developed to help the mentally ill with the greatest financial need to gain access to care.
Northeast Florida Marine Law Partnership
The Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership (NFMLP) is a pro bono JALA project that combines the knowledge of medical and legal professionals to improve the health of low-income and vulnerable patients.
Three Rivers Law Services
Three Rivers Legal Services (Three Rivers) is a pro bono legal aid firm headquartered in Gainesville, Florida and established in 1977. JALA is working with Three Rivers to offer legal services in the Northeast Florida region. JALA and Three Rivers work together in clinics to restore civil rights, remove criminal records, and assist in cases of bankruptcy.
References
External links
- Official Site
- Pro Bono Information
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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