Pro Bono: Attorney Alex Underkofler finds gratification in pro bono work

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid's Veterans Legal Collaborative provides veterans with the opportunity to consult one-on-one with volunteer attorneys.

This Ask-A-Lawyer clinic at the VA Outpatient Clinic Downtown is scheduled the second Friday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Like many of JALA's outreach projects and community events, we rely on volunteer attorneys to staff this clinic. Although volunteer attorneys are only obliged to provide brief counsel and advice based on their areas of expertise, many accept cases for placement while at the clinic.

Pro bono attorney Alexandra "Alex" Underkofler is not only a regular at the VLC, she also accepts cases for representation. While volunteering at the clinic, Underkofler consults with veterans regarding their advance directives and even drafts their documents on-site.

Within the past six months, she accepted eight cases for placement, making her a JALA Pro Bono Superstar.

A Jacksonville native, Underkofler received her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida.

She returned home to attend law school and graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2019.

Underkofler is a partner at Delegal Poindexter & Underkofler where she primarily practices labor and employment law, including drafting and negotiating employment agreements, severance agreements, discrimination and retaliation claims and representing professionals in license defense cases.

Her partners T.A "Tad" Delegal III and James Poindexter are dedicated JALA supporters and pro bono volunteers and so, as a young associate with the firm, Underkofler was encouraged to remain involved with her pro bono work.

Like myself, Underkofler became involved with JALA through Kathy Para, one of my predecessors and JALA's director of pro bono from 2009 to 2019.

"Kathy connected me with JALA's Clay County office for an internship during my first year of law school. I loved the opportunity to learn how civil procedure and other areas of law applied in a hands-on manner," Underkofler said.

While in law school, Underkofler participated in pro bono clinics during her spring break.

These student-volunteer opportunities not only introduced her to the meaningful impact of pro bono work but also helped shape her professionally as a young attorney.

"Many people who qualify for pro bono legal services are facing incredibly challenging legal and life circumstances and often do not have the financial resources to resolve those circumstances themselves or to hire an attorney to help them solve their problem. Being able to provide that service to people who are dealing with what is potentially the most difficult time in their life and provide some relief is very gratifying," Underkofler said.

Asked how she would encourage others to get involved with JALA, Underkofler said "check out one of the many ask-a-lawyer clinics or events that JALA offers.

"It is a great way to meet and assist people without the commitment of taking on a case that may involve protracted litigation or a long-term, formal relationship with a client. If you are interested in taking on a case in your practice area — or in a practice area that you would like to learn more about — a JALA clinic is a fantastic way to connect with a client."

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Andrew "Andy" Underkofler who is another one of JALA's Pro Bono Superstars.

She also enjoys spending quality time with their son, Noah, dog, Hobie, and enjoying well-deserved and much-needed time around the pool.