Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy relies on our pro bono volunteers to help us narrow Mecklenburg County’s justice gap.
Individuals who cannot afford an attorney or access critical information are unlikely to prevail in complex court systems designed for those with legal representation. Volunteer attorneys can be critical advocates in an otherwise inaccessible legal system.
Pro Bono Opportunities
Attorneys who volunteer with us are provided with:
- Malpractice Insurance
- Trainings
- Toolkits and templates
- Mentorship and support throughout the life of the case
- Use of our offices and conference rooms for client meetings
“The only way we can face the realities of what goes on day-to-day in our community is to do pro bono work.”
Heryka Knoespel, Access to Justice pro bono attorney, McGuireWoods LLP
September Pro Bono Spotlight: Lara Nichols
Lara Nichols, Deputy General Counsel at Duke Energy Corporation, has been a longtime supporter of our work. She has served as a board member for Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, a Triage Champion, and has represented many of our clients on a pro bono basis. In particular, Lara has been a stalwart expunction volunteer, offering legal support to more than nine of our expunction clients over the years, and serving as an enthusiastic recruit to engage others as well.
Thank you, Lara, for your support of North Carolinians in helping to remove barriers to employment, economic stability and opportunity . We could not do it without you!
Afghan Asylum Project Spotlight
The Afghan Asylum Pro Bono Project was the winner of the 2023 Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy Pro Bono Award. Roy G. Dixon, III of McGuireWoods LLP accepted the award on behalf of the project at the Mecklenburg County Bar’s annual meeting. We are grateful for the assistance and support of all of the participants in this project, including:
A. Carter Arey, McGuireWoods LLP
Mark Kinghorn, McGuireWoods LLP
Roy G. Dixon III, McGuireWoods LLP
T. Richmond McPherson, III, McGuireWoods LLP
Alexander Goto Keith, McGuireWoods LLP
Nima Nematollahi, McGuireWoods LLP
Abigail Anne Golden, McGuireWoods LLP
Jason H. Cowley, McGuireWoods LLP
Scott Benjamin Pleune, Alston & Bird
Clayton Armstrong, Alston & Bird
Matthew McGuire, Alston & Bird
Craig Francis Bernesser, Alston & Bird
Patrick Brantley Henderson, Alston & Bird
James Patrick Hayden, Alston & Bird
Katherine Elizabeth Carter, Alston & Bird
Nicholas P. Bell, Alston & Bird
Tyler Wagner, Alston & Bird
Gina M. Russoniello, Alston & Bird
Marissa B. Nye, Electrolux Group
William Michael Zoffer, Law Office of William M. Zoffer
Through this project, thirty-two local Afghan parolees have received legal representation. These attorneys have spent hours immersing themselves in a complicated area of law, preparing asylum applications, gathering evidence, and attending interviews. They have also gone above and beyond by assisting their clients with obtaining work permits and submitting applications for Temporary Protected Status. Our clients and the Advocacy Center are incredibly grateful for their commitment and dedication!
Pro Bono Honor Roll
The Access to Justice Pro Bono Partners Program of Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and Legal Aid of North Carolina-Charlotte is pleased to recognize our committed pro bono attorneys who donated at least 20 hours of service or closed three or more cases for our clients in 2022.
