(FLORIDA) – Florida attorney Jason Berger understands the power of legal aid. He also knows first-hand the dedication that impact-oriented Pro Bono work requires. “We make a difference one person at a time, one case at a time.”
Berger is a private attorney whose practice focuses on serving clients in the areas of family law, personal injury, and estate planning. In his spare time, however, Berger volunteers as a Pro Bono attorney at Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS). FRLS is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to qualified individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties and to farmworkers statewide.
Through our Pro Bono, or Private Attorney Involvement (PAI), Program, attorneys like Berger devote their time and legal acumen to serving low-income individuals and families with all types of civil legal challenges, from housing matters to consumer protection to disaster recovery after a hurricane. Although Pro Bono service is not a requirement of the Florida Bar Association, private attorneys feel compelled by personal motivations to bridge the justice gap by helping those in need. Such is the motivation of Berger.
“The experience has been especially gratifying for me to be able to volunteer my time to help those in need.”
Volunteering at FRLS affords legal professionals like Berger the opportunity to give back to local and regional communities in our many areas of service “by providing those in need with an education, along with legal, strategic and personal guidance and advice.” And Berger is certainly confident about the returns: “When you give, it always comes back to you!”
The demands of a busy work schedule are not lost on Berger. Nonetheless, the attorney finds the time to take on the occasional Pro Bono case through FRLS. He hopes to inspire other attorneys to do the same. “All of us have very busy professional and personal schedules. However, I believe wholeheartedly that there is always some time that we can set aside to volunteer our services to help those in need.”
Return on Generosity: Pro Bono at FRLS
Whether you are a current law student, a private attorney, or a retired or inactive legal professional, there are ample volunteer opportunities for you at FRLS. Our Pro Bono Program endeavors to match volunteers with cases that suit their burgeoning legal interests or lifelong strong suits. Moreover, Pro Bono work can mean anything from assisting a client with limited advice via a phone call to taking on full legal representation, and everything in between.
Ultimately, our mission is the same: to provide high quality civil legal assistance and representation to low-income and vulnerable communities across our state.
Start your Pro Bono journey at FRLS. Call 1-888-582-3410 or sign up for an active case here.
About Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to qualified individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties and to farmworkers statewide. Since 1966, FRLS has pursued justice by providing legal services in housing law, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, elder law, disaster relief, education law, tax advocacy, and more, all at no cost to our clients. FRLS collaborates with community organizations and Pro Bono attorneys to deliver quality advocacy, outreach, and education designed to protect the rights of those in need. For over 50 years, FRLS has been a steadfast advocate for justice.