January 30, 2015 – The Durham law firm of Maxwell, Freeman & Bowman, P.A. has announced a gift of $2,500 to Legal Aid of North Carolina in honor of the firm’s former president, James B. Maxwell, chairman of Legal Aid from 2003 to 2004, whose retirement Jan. 1 brought to a close an extraordinary 48-year career in the practice of law.
“We hope this gift and Jim’s immeasurable contributions to North Carolina’s legal community inspire his colleagues throughout the state to make their own contributions to Legal Aid,” said John A. Bowman a member of the firm. “What better way to honor Jim’s service than by helping those who serve our fellow North Carolinians in need.”
Jim led Legal Aid’s board of directors at a seminal moment in the organization’s history. In 2002, independent legal aid offices around the state joined forces to create a single, unified, statewide organization called Legal Aid of North Carolina. Centralizing and standardizing the operations of multiple independent organizations was no mean feat, and Jim’s experienced leadership on the new board was instrumental in ensuring the effort’s success.
“We are incredibly grateful for the firm’s gift, and for Jim’s service to our organization and the broader legal community,” said George R. Hausen Jr., executive director of Legal Aid of North Carolina. “We benefitted from Jim’s leadership at a crucial time in our history and have continued to enjoy his partnership ever since. We wish him the best.”
Jim has long been recognized as a leader in North Carolina’s legal community. He has served as president of the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) and North Carolina Advocates for Justice. He has received the NCBA’s Dr. I. Beverly Lake Public Service Award and the North Carolina State Bar’s John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award.
Outside of work, Jim served his community as a board member for numerous civic and non-profit boards, and was a high school swimming coach for 28 years, earning him a spot in the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame.
Learn more about James B. Maxwell by visiting the website of Maxwell, Freeman & Bowman, P.A., www.mfbpa.com.
To make a donation to Legal Aid of North Carolina, visit www.legalaidnc.org/donate.
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Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in order to ensure equal access to justice and remove legal barriers to economic opportunity. Learn more at www.legalaidnc.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Media Contact
Sean Driscoll, Director of Public Relations, 919-856-2132, seand@legalaidnc.org