![\"Leon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/liberty_bell_t850.jpg\" "\\"Leon")
<\/p>\nThe Jacksonville Bar Association and the D.W. Perkins Bar Association celebrated Law Day together with lunch May 7 at The River Club.<\/p>\n
The annual observance of the importance of the rule of law in America also includes presentation of two awards.<\/p>\n
The Jacksonville Daily Record Lawyer of the Year Award is presented to a JBA member who gives their time and talent to help Jacksonville a better place to live.<\/p>\n
Daniel Nunn Jr., the 2026 recipient, volunteered his time and legal expertise to Jacksonville\u2019s Historic Eastside neighborhood through Lift Jax, which helped lead to the Community Benefits Agreement, a $115 million commitment from the city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The CBA was related to the \u201cStadium of the Future\u201d renovation of EverBank Field. The financial aid will support affordable housing, workforce development, economic opportunity and homelessness mitigation in the Eastside community over the next 30 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking alongside residents, business leaders and community stakeholders through the Together Eastside Coalition, he helped translate community priorities into a clear legal and strategic framework and shape a Community Benefits Agreement to ensure the Eastside would share in the project\u2019s benefits,\u201d said Daily Record Publisher Angie Campbell.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs remarkable as the outcome of this achievement is, the way he treated the people with care, responsiveness, respect and effective advocacy exemplifies the highest ideals of the legal profession. He strengthened not only a neighborhood but also trust in the law.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nunn said while he was humbled to receive the award, the credit should go to the Together Eastside Coalition and Lift Jax.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d like to make sure we can continue to improve the neighborhood without displacing residents. This is just the beginning of what needs to happen for the Eastside,\u201d Nunn said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Leon Jackson, senior manager of jury services with the Duval County Clerk of Courts, accepted the 2026 Liberty Bell Award from Jacksonville Bar Association President Brian Coughlin.<\/p>\n
Photo by Ric Anderson<\/p>\n
Brian Coughlin, JBA president, presented the association\u2019s Liberty Bell Award to Leon Jackson, senior manager of jury services at the Duval County Clerk of Courts office.<\/p>\n
Coughlin said Jackson\u2019s career began when he got in trouble as a young man and performed court-ordered community service in the clerk\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat turned into a 30-year career,\u201d Coughlin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe actually makes jury service seem fun. He understands the importance of having jurors willing to serve and how justice can only be done, cases can only come to conclusion, with qualified, and willing servants. His introductions and interactions with the potential jurors help them understand the importance of their work but also get excited about their service, which is very difficult to do,\u201d said Circuit Judge Ashley Cox in her nomination of Jackson for the award.<\/p>\n
Cox said Jackson mentors high school students and raises money to provide scholarships for students to attend a college or trade school.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has organized Christmas shopping for underprivileged children, giving them a shopping spree with gift cards at Ollie\u2019s. Every Thanksgiving you\u2019ll find him serving or delivering meals to the homeless and underserved. He volunteers with the Clara White Mission food distributions. If you volunteer with Leon, you get a Leon Action Jackson T-shirt \u2013 that\u2019s how often he is volunteering,\u201d Cox said.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we make sure he is not an unsung hero,\u201d Coughlin said as he presented the award.<\/p>\n
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