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Honoring Patricia James
Three Decades of Immeasurable Contributions to Legal Aid
"...God put us on this earth
to be of service. I hope I've
been of service to my
community."
It's hard to imagine but Executive Secretary Patricia James recently celebrated an incredible 30 years with Legal Aid!
"I don't believe it, "said Pat incredulously.
Pat's first day on the job was July 23, 1975 and she clearly remembers how Legal Aid became her calling:
"I was unemployed and looking for work. Despite a business degree I could not get a job in a business office. It was hard for a young black woman especially one with an Afro. So I went to Manpower for "training." My teacher thought I was a pretty fast learner. She said, 'I believe you lied about your lack of experience.'
"I thought she was going to throw me out of the program. Instead, she offered me two job interviews. One was with Pratt Whitney and the other with the Legal Aid Society. I knew I wanted to work at something that wasn't just a job. I didn't want it to be just another day, another dollar. I wanted to be able to go home and say to myself, 'I helped someone today.'
"I remember I prayed and asked the Lord to lead me in the right direction and it was to Legal Aid. Afro and all, I went on the interview."
Legal Aid was a very different organization in 1975 said Pat, a West Palm Beach native. 95% of the cases were referred out to pro bono lawyers. There were only five staff members. Today Legal Aid has 85 staff members and 1400 cases are handled in house each year.
The office space was very small she said. There was one tiny office for the executive director and then a reception area shared by the four other staff members. Back then Legal Aid only handled small claims cases.
Pat will never forget the day Robert Bertisch came in for the interview for the job of Executive Director. As Legal Aid looked to the future, they needed a new leader, someone with both legal and management skills.
"I knew from the moment Bob walked in the office that he would be the man for the job. I just got a vibe," said Pat, now 53.
"He wore blue jeans with a jacket and tie and you know how open and friendly Bob is. I turned to my co-worker and said, 'That's the new Executive Director!"
Pat has worked closely with Bob since he took over the reigns of Legal Aid in November of 1980. Besides her duties as executive secretary, Pat has been an incredible resource for staff and clients alike.
"Pat is truly the heart of Legal Aid, "said Bob. "Her dedication to serving the disadvantaged individuals in our community inspires us all to do the best job we can for our clients. She generously takes all new attorneys and support staff 'under her wing' and trains them in the practice and procedures of the Palm Beach County court system. She has earned the respect and love of the entire staff. "
Looking back over her 30 years with Legal Aid, Pat feels she's accomplished what she set out to do.
"It was important to try and make a difference. God put us on this earth to be of service. I hope I've been of service to my community."
Thank you, Pat.
We don't know what we would do without you!
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