Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy Pro Bono Program

“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

Pro Bono Opportunities

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. 

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 

How to Get Involved

Contact Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy directly using the form below.

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy also posts some of its volunteer opportunities on Pro Bono Go, a collaboration with other North Carolina legal services organizations to expand pro bono practice across the state. View and express interest in specific opportunities by visiting the Pro Bono Go website and/or scrolling through the case cards posted below.

This is not an exhaustive list of pro bono opportunities available at Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy.

October Pro Bono Spotlight: Chelsea Corey

Chelsea Corey, Partner, Commercial Litigation at King & Spalding has been an invaluable part of Open Enrollment efforts through Triage since 2018, demonstrating unwavering commitment to pro bono work. Her impact spans a diverse range of cases, from assisting clients in enrolling in healthcare coverage for the very first time to safeguarding a prisoner’s constitutional rights. Chelsea has also dedicated her expertise to applying for asylum for the family of an Afghan translator and advocating for LGBTQ+ veterans to have their discriminatory discharge paperwork revised. Her tireless efforts extend beyond the North Carolina community, reaching out to those in need far and wide.

Chelsea Corey’s dedication and passion for pro bono work are the cornerstones of building a more just and equitable community. Thank you for the valuable work you do!

Chelsea Corey, King & Spalding

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!

Lara Nichols, Duke Energy Corporation

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.