Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) has ended the lease for its Pembroke office amid the statewide freeze on Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) funding passed by the General Assembly in June. As a result of the freeze, LANC is losing roughly $6.3 million in critical funding, putting essential legal services at risk across the state.
The unexpected funding freeze forced LANC to halt plans for a new downtown office, creating uncertainty about the organization’s long-term physical presence in Pembroke. LANC leaders are working closely with local partners and community members to find a sustainable solution that keeps services accessible to residents who depend on in-person support.
The Pembroke office is the second LANC location facing the potential for closure due to the IOLTA freeze, which threatens access to legal assistance for vulnerable communities across North Carolina. The impact would be deeply felt by Pembroke residents—particularly veterans, seniors, survivors of domestic violence, and disaster victims—who rely on LANC’s services for safety and stability.
The Pembroke office has long been a cornerstone of community legal support, continuing the legacy of Julian Pierce, a pioneering attorney who championed access to justice for the Lumbee community and underserved residents of Robeson County.
“Julian Pierce built a foundation of access to legal help in Pembroke when the office opened in 1978, and we have worked tirelessly to keep that legacy alive,” said Ashley Campbell, CEO of Legal Aid of North Carolina. “Even in the face of unprecedented funding challenges, we are doing everything we can to maintain a physical presence in Pembroke and ensure residents continue to have access to justice.”
The IOLTA freeze—currently in effect through June 2026—continues to threaten access to justice across North Carolina, particularly in rural areas.
Legal Aid of North Carolina remains fully committed to serving the Pembroke community through remote services and local partnerships while working toward a long-term solution to restore and sustain a physical presence in the region.
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