The new issue of our pro bono newsletter is hot off the presses! Learn about all the innovative and impactful ways we partner with the private bar to make a meaningful difference for North Carolinians in need.
Table of contents
- Chapman and Cutler LLP, Truist Bank, and Wells Fargo Kick Off Gavel Wills Drafting Tool with Legal Aid of NC!
- When Chapman Cutler generously offered to customize a wills and advance directive automation tool for use by Legal Aid of North Carolina volunteers, Wells Fargo and Truist were excited to help with its launch.
- Joint Crisis Response Workshop and Housing Conditions Clinic with NCBA Young Lawyers Division and State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division
- On April 25, the Pro Bono team’s own Lauren Ashley Wright helped lead a collaboration between the North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division in a joint program aimed at exploring and navigating crisis responses and emergency preparedness.
- We were also lucky to host:
- A Raleigh Pro Bono Collaborative Expunction session on May 13 with Kilpatrick
- A Lawyer on the Line event with LPL Financial, in honor of Financial Institution Pro Bono Day, and more!
- Congratulations to our 2026 Law School Graduate Volunteers and Pro Bono Leaders!
- Casey Buttke (JD ’26, UNC Law) – Recipient of the Winston Crisp Award for Student Leadership
- Avery Allen (JD ’26, Duke Law)
- Neven Vrbetic (LLM ’26, Duke Law)
- Caitlyn Leary (JD/MPP ’26, Duke Law)
- Kacey Buercklin (LLM ’26, Duke Law)
- Sened Teklay (LLM ’26, Duke Law)
- Max Tinter (JD ’26, Duke Law)
- Emily Bass (JD ’26, Duke Law)
- Maame Adu (JD/LLM ’26, Duke Law)
- Yuxi He (LLM ’26, Duke Law)
- Seimi Chu JD ’26, Duke Law)
- Featured Pro Bono Opportunities
- With the start of the 2026 agricultural season, Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Farmworker Unit is seeking Spanish-speaking volunteer attorneys and paralegals to help with visits to migrant farm worker labor camps as part of its Witness for Justice Volunteer Program.
- We’re seeking assistance from a volunteer attorney and/or paralegal to assist a client with an heirs property matter in Robeson County, though this matter can be handled remotely.
- We are seeking volunteers to assist clients with disabilities with preparing reasonable accommodation/modification request letters to submit to housing providers.
- Help our senior client complete court forms for return of surplus funds after foreclosure
- Help Survivors Get DV Protective Orders
- Thanks to our Charlotte Triage Volunteers
- Last month, our April eviction courthouse clinics, led by our Triage Courthouse Clinic Champions, Kirsten Peterson/Womble Bond Dickinson LLP and Graham Claybrook/Bank of America, were a huge success. Many of our volunteers took cases to trial or worked out beneficial settlements for our clients.
- We also wanted to extend a special welcome to the Villmer Caudill attorneys who joined us at our Lawyer on the Line event on May 7th!
- We’re also grateful to our May Triage Champions, Bill Butler/Moore & Van Allen PLLC and Graham Claybrook/Bank of America (again!) for ensuring the event was a success.
- Upcoming Events
- June 10 – Charlotte Triage Housing Lawyer on the Line
- June 16 – Charlotte Triage Eviction Courthouse Clinic
- June 18 – Charlotte Triage Eviction Courthouse Clinic
- June 23 – Charlotte Triage Child Custody Complaint Drafting Event
- June 23 – Raleigh Pro Bono Collaborative Expunction Session hosted by Parker Poe
- June 24 – Charlotte Triage Eviction Courthouse Clinic
- June 26 – Charlotte Triage Eviction Courthouse Clinic
- June 26 – Wills Clinic with Smith Anderson and Southeast Raleigh Promise
- Volunteer Spotlight
- For years, John has been volunteering his time at the Central Carolina office, assisting the attorney and paralegal team with administrative tasks like case closings. In addition to these contributions – which help offload considerable work for our attorneys and staff – John is a welcoming presence at the office and frequent volunteer for other local organizations in the community, like Meals on Wheels.
- We have been so fortunate to have Mark Henriques as not only an ardent supporter of Legal Aid of North Carolina but also as a frequent volunteer. Mark has provided invaluable service to our clients post Tropical Storm Helene. Most recently, he negotiated a significant settlement after our client experienced a repair gone wrong and the HOA refused to replace the damage done, leaving the client with an unfinished floor in his home.
- Congratulations to Garfinkel Immigration!
- Garfinkel has been recognized by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) as a recipient of the 2026 Pro Bono Champion award for their service to Legal Aid of NC clients. Please join us in celebrating our partner, and Anna Cushman, a former Legal Aid of NC attorney, on this well-deserved honor.
- Join Our Justice Legacy Circle – Make Justice Part of Your Legacy
- By making a planned gift of any size, you become part of the Justice Legacy Circle, a community of supporters whose foresight ensures that Legal Aid’s mission endures long into the future.
- Upcoming CLE Opportunities
- Join us on May 21st, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM for Veterans Benefits & Discharge Issues: A Practical Guide for Non-VA Attorneys
- Join us on June 8th, 11:00 AM to 12:00PM for Mediation 101: Fundamentals for Effective Advocacy & Resolution
- Join us June 17th, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM for North Carolina Child Support 101
- Lead a Virtual Legal Education Presentation
- Topics: Child custody, simple divorce, and housing
- Pro Bono Go
- Find volunteer opportunities at www.probonogo.org