Jacksonville Area Legal Aid

www.jaxlegalaid.org
126 West Adams Street

Jacksonville, FL 32202
with offices in Clay and St. Johns Counties.

What is Jacksonville Area Legal Aid? 

Established in 1937, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, or “JALA,” is a nonprofit civil law firm (not criminal) focused on delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast. JALA is a mid-size law firm of 38 attorneys and 43 support staff who handle civil legal matters which include health & public benefits, employment/unemployment law, family law, fair housing & landlord-tenant disputes, matters affecting veterans, immigration, consumer law & foreclosure defense, and elder law. In addition, JALA has a reduced fee legal services program for certain Family law and Immigration law matters.

Whom does JALA serve?

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid serves low-income individuals, as well as other vulnerable populations including veterans, senior citizens, children, individuals affected or infected by HIV/AIDS, the deaf/hard of hearing, and disabled individuals. JALA offers free monthly clinics focusing on a variety of issues including consumer issues (including bankruptcy), family law (including dissolution of marriage, paternity, and child support modifications), landlord-tenant, and foreclosure to name a few.

Visit https://www.jaxlegalaid.org/events/ to learn more about JALA’s ongoing legal clinics and other community events.

How can I help?

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid does not receive support from either the federal government or from the State of Florida, so it relies on a network of grants and community support to provide its vital services to the residents of Jacksonville and the surrounding communities. JALA is a 501(c)3 organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of law. If you are an attorney, the Florida Bar advocates at least 20 hours of pro bono service or a contribution of at least $350.00 to your area legal aid provider; JALA is the primary legal aid provider for Northeast Florida.

Visit www.jaxlegalaid.org to donate or to sign up to volunteer as a pro bono attorney at https://www.jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono/  

How can I get help?

If you are seeking help in a civil legal matter and believe that Jacksonville Area Legal Aid may be able to help, visit https://www.jaxlegalaid.org/apply/ or call (904) 356-8371 [Duval and Nassau], (904) 284-8410 [Clay], or (904) 827-9921 [St. Johns]. For deaf/hard of hearing individuals, V/TTY Video Phone service is available at (904) 245-1041.

For those interested in JALA’s reduced fee legal services (for Family and Immigration law), visit https://www.jaxlegalaid.org/reducedfee/

Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc.

3225 University Boulevard South, Suite 220
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Lake City

Who is Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc.?

Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. is a local, non-profit corporation that provides free civil legal services to low-income clients throughout Northeast Florida. Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. has served the Northeast Florida community for over 36 years. Our origins date back to 1977 after Storefront Legal Aid in Gainesville, Florida and Suwannee River Economic Council in Live Oak, Florida merged. Initially, our new program received funding from the Legal Services Corporation to serve seven counties in 1978. Immediately thereafter, five more counties were added in 1979. By 2004, Three Rivers expanded to provide advice and legal assistance to eligible clients with issues pertaining to foreclosure defense, landlord tenant, consumer law, family law, public benefits, veterans benefits, educational advocacy, and federal income taxes. to low-income persons in the following seventeen counties listed below

Alachua • Baker • Bradford • Clay • Columbia • Dixie • Duval • Gilchrist • Hamilton • Lafayette • Levy • Madison • Nassau • St. Johns • Suwannee • Taylor • Union
 

Who Are Our Clients?

Three Rivers serves community members with income below the 200-250% federal poverty level as well as the homeless, domestic abuse victims, disabled veterans, senior citizens, and special needs children. In addition to providing free legal advice and representation, Three Rivers hosts seminars and workshops to educate the community on legal topics such as Restoration of Civil Rights and Sealing & Expungement through Project R: Restoring Rights, Repairing Records, and Rebuilding Hope. During tax season, we also offer Beware Before You Prepare presentations to inform taxpayers about how to avoid falling prey to tax scams and we give follow up presentations during the post tax season.

How Can I Help Three Rivers?

Three Rivers is funded through the Legal Services Corporation and various other grants. As a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, we accept tax deductible donations from attorneys, businesses, agencies, and individuals. Moreover, we encourage Florida Bar attorneys residing in Northeast Florida to provide pro bono services to our clients or make a $350 contribution to satisfy their Florida Bar Pro Bono requirement, pursuant to Rule 4-6.1. Law students are also welcomed to volunteer at Three Rivers to fulfill academic pro bono requirements. To make a monetary donation to Three Rivers, visit our website at www.trls.org. To volunteer as a pro bono attorney or law student volunteer, contact our Jacksonville Pro Bono Coordinator, Chardea Murray, at chardea.murray@trls.org

How Do I Become A Three Rivers Client?

To sign up for services, contact the Three Rivers Legal Help Line by calling 1 (866) 256-8091 or (904) 394-7450. Hablas español, and we also use an interpreter service to assist clients with a variety of other languages. For more information, visit our website at www.trls.org.

Office of the Public Defender

for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida

407 N. Laura St.
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Phone: 904-255-HOPE (4673)

Who is Office of the Public Defender?

The Office of the Public Defender for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida represents individuals in criminal and civil proceedings who are entitled to court-appointed counsel under the United States and Florida Constitutions, or as authorized by Florida law. The office represents individuals charged with criminal offenses, individuals who are subject to mental health commitments, and individuals who are subject to civil commitment under the Jimmy Ryce Act.

How do I contact the Office of the Public Defender?

407 N. Laura St.
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Phone: 904-255-HOPE (4673)

Family Court Services

The Family Court Services staff provides access to the legal system, guidance in understanding court procedures, distribution of family law forms approved by the Supreme Court of Florida and free notary services. Individuals are advised that Family Court Services staff does not represent them in their case. Legal advice cannot be given.

Areas Available for Assistance:

Our other locations are as follows