After more than 50 years as a lawyer, James “Jimmy” Pollack of Coral Gables decided he was ready for retirement -- but not for walking away from work.

Mr. Pollack, 80, has spent the last three years volunteering at “Put Something Back,” a project of the Dade Legal Aid Society, which offers free representation to eligible clients in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Twice a week, Mr. Pollack works as an intake specialist, interviewing applicants and determining their financial conditions, legal issues and eligibility.

“Volunteering is good for me,” Mr. Pollack says, “but it’s also good for those who are being helped.”

For his volunteer work, Mr. Pollack was among recipients of The Alliance for Aging’s Positive Living Award, which recognizes older individuals who continue to give back to their communities in South Florida. Mr. Pollack received the award in the organization’s legal division on Nov. 16 at an exclusive dinner at Jungle Island. He was one of 13 award recipients.

“It was a real surprise,” Mr. Pollack admits, “especially since I didn’t even know my wife had entered me as a nominee!”

Although most of his life has revolved around the law, Mr. Pollack strives to incorporate his spectrum of interests in volunteer work.

A former trombone player and avid jazz recording collector, he hosts discussions on classical jazz pieces at the youth center of University Baptist Church. And once a year, Mr. Pollack goes live on WLRN radio (91.3 FM) with Ted Grossman and his Night Train program, playing and talking about classical jazz.

Mr. Pollack also hosts weekly seminars for adults at the church, inviting the Coral Gables community to engage in discussions about current events, politics, law and ethics.

“You have to keep up with the world,” Mr. Pollack explains. “It keeps life interesting.”

The Cleveland, Ohio, native came to South Florida to study law at the University of Miami, then started his career working for lawyer Daniel Ginsberg in 1955 after graduating from UM. Mr. Pollack opened his own firm, James F. Pollack, P.A., with Mr. Ginsberg, and later partnered with lawyer Evan Olster.

Mr. Pollack headed the firm for nearly 35 years before officially retiring in 2010. At the encouragement of his wife Sandra and two children, Mr. Pollack began dedicating his time as a volunteer, which he advises people of all ages to do.

“If you want to keep active, live longer and enjoy helping people who need help, volunteering is the thing to do,” Mr. Pollack says. “It’s good for the health of those being helped, gives you something to do, and gets you into the world and out of your home!”

So while some are eager to start taking it easy, Mr. Pollack says he looks forward to continuing his work.

“I enjoy what I do,” he says. “As long as I can do it, and the community needs or wants my help, I’ll be doing it.”

Caitlin Driscoll is a sophomore at the University of Miami majoring in public relations and political science.