Niya Fonville Swint

About

Niya Fonville Swint is the Chief Community Engagement Officer for Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC),
where she serves as a key liaison for the firm with its external stakeholders. Prior to joining LANC in this
role (May 2023), Niya was the Director of Externships at Campbell Law School, initially joining the
institution as the Associate Director of the Career & Professional Development Center in November 2018

Prior to transitioning to higher education, she served as a supervising and staff attorney with
LANC, providing free legal services to low-wealth families throughout the state, for over ten years. Her
ability to effectively engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds is an integral part of both
positions, and she speaks on issues of equity, inclusion, and belonging at the local, state, and national
levels.

Since leaving the traditional practice of law, Niya has continued to engage in pro bono legal services in furtherance of her motto that: “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life and not
something you do in your spare time.” -Marian Wright Edelman, Founder, Children’s Defense Fund.
A 2019 Citizen Lawyer Award recipient, Niya is a member of several professional affiliations including
the National Association for Law Placement, the NCBA’s Minorities in the Professions and Pro Bono
committees, NC Association of Black Lawyers, and Capital City Lawyers Association. A former member of
the Wake County Bar Association Board of Directors and the NC Equal Access to Justice Foundation
Board, Niya currently serves on the NCBA Board of Governors, Read and Feed of Wake County Board,
and as a Commissioner for the Raleigh Housing Authority. Niya earned her B.A. from Salem College and
her J.D. from the University of Miami.

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niya-fonville/