News
NC Supreme Court approves Rule 6.1 on Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service.
To view the new rule, click here.
Equal Access to Justice Commission Members Participate in UNC Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity on October 30.
On October 30, 2009, the Poverty Center hosted a powerful conference on access to justice in civil cases. Several Commission members, including Chief Justice Parker, were speakers at the event that explored the civil right to counsel.
More information about the event, can be found here.
NC Equal Access to Justice Commission hosts Large Law Firm Pro Bono Summit on October 14, 2009.
The NC Equal Access to Justice Commission organized a large law firm Pro Bono Summit on October 14th. More than 25 managing partners of large law firms and corporate legal counsel from around the state attended the event, held at the Charlotte School of Law. They were joined pro bono coordinators, judges, bar leaders, legal aid providers and Commission members. Participants were invited by Chief Justice Sarah Parker and James Strother, General Counsel for Wells Fargo, both of whom spoke to the growing need of low-income people to secure legal representation on their cases in the civil justice system. Esther Lardent, Founder and President of the Pro Bono Institute was the keynote speaker. The goal of the Summit was to re-energize and expand pro bono participation and leadership among large law firms and corporate legal departments in North Carolina.
Legal Services Corporation Releases Updated Report on the Justice Gap in America.
Jerry Parnell Appointed to the American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary
Commission Member Anita Earls Considered for Federal Bench
Equal Access to Justice Commission Member Senator Dan Clodfelter Honored
North Carolina Bar Association Presents $100,000 gift to Legal Aid of North Carolina
Equal Access to Justice Commission member Representative Martha Alexander receives 2009 Liberty Bell Award from Mecklenburg County Bar
N.C. Rep. Martha Alexander received the 2009 Liberty Bell Award on May 1, 2009 from the Mecklenburg County Bar Association.
The award is given annually to a nonlawyer for community service that has strengthened the American system of freedom under the law. The award was given at the bar’s Law Day celebration at the Hilton Hotel.
A 56-year-old cafeteria worker turned to LANC when her landlord refused to repair dangerous problems in the house she rents:
“My problems with the house was gas leaks, a problem with the roof, and leaking in the kitchen and bedroom, leaking everywhere. Problems with the floors. The outside, paint peeling. My stairwell, steps, and floor was weak. “I called the housing inspector, and he told me I had 16 different violations. After that I contacted Legal Aid. After we went to court, my landlord had my house fixed up, and I didn’t have any more problems. But if I hadn’t gone to Legal Aid, I would still have these problems, and I thank them very much.”
Decent, affordable housing is scarce. The average two-bedroom apartment in North Carolina costs over $7,300 per year. There are approximately 100,000 units of subsidized housing for the 3.2 million people financially eligible for legal aid services.