Author: Helen Hobson

Author: Helen Hobson

(Charlotte, North Carolina) Alliance Health highlights a groundbreaking pilot program in collaboration with Legal Aid of North Carolina to provide comprehensive legal assistance to Transition to Community Living (TCL) members facing barriers to permanent supportive housing.

TLC supports eligible North Carolina adults living with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or traumatic brain injuries who choose to live outside institutional care settings. It combines affordable housing with intensive coordinated services, including case management, peer support, and community integration support, to help program participants live and thrive in their communities.

The Alliance-Legal Aid partnership leverages the strengths of both organizations to offer a holistic approach to housing stability and legal advocacy for this vulnerable population, including:

  • Legal representation for eviction proceedings
  • Advocacy against housing discrimination
  • Removal of barriers to housing
  • Compliance with NC fair housing and landlord tenant laws

“We are thrilled to partner with Legal Aid of North Carolina on this important initiative,” said Stephanie Jackson, Alliance Health Assistant General Counsel.  “This program represents a significant step towards addressing housing, one of the most important social drivers of health that impact our health plan members’ well-being.  By providing legal assistance and advocating for their rights, we are helping ensure that our members have access to safe, stable housing, which is essential for their overall health and recovery.”

“I am so excited that we have the opportunity to partner with Alliance Health,” said Larissa Mañón Mervin, regional managing attorney for Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Charlotte Metro region. “This program is just one of the many ways our office fights to ensure access to justice for our most vulnerable populations. As we know, access to safe and stable housing is one of the most significant social drivers of health. Our Charlotte Housing team works tirelessly to provide legal representation to eligible clients facing eviction proceedings, habitability concerns, housing discrimination, and other barriers to housing. We’re committed to doing the same with Alliance Health’s health plan members and are honored to have the opportunity to positively impact their well-being by ensuring their legal housing needs are met.” 

The program focuses on Wake and Mecklenburg counties, with plans to expand to other Alliance-served counties based on its success and impact. TCL members facing housing-related changes are encouraged to reach out to their care managers or to Alliance Member and Recipient Services at 800-510-9132 for more information and to access these services.

For more information about the pilot program or to schedule an interview with representatives from Alliance Health or Legal Aid of North Carolina, please contact:

Doug Fuller

Senior Director, Communications

Alliance Health

dfuller@AllianceHealthPlan.org

Helen Hobson

Chief Communications Officer

Legal Aid of North Carolina

HelenH2@legalaidnc.org

About Alliance Health

Alliance Health is a public managed care organization serving Cumberland, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, Mecklenburg, Orange and Wake counties in North Carolina. Working with a network of more than 4,000 private providers, Alliance has responsibility for almost 470,000 Medicaid-eligible and uninsured individuals among a population of over 3.5M.

The Alliance Medicaid Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disability Tailored Plan manages all the health care needs – physical, behavioral and pharmacy – for people with severe mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and long-term care needs including intellectual/developmental disability and traumatic brain injury.

Alliance supports over 1000 members living in supported housing, representing over 30% of North Carolina’s TCL members currently in housing.

About Legal Aid of North Carolina

Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income individuals and families to ensure equal access to justice. With a dedicated team of attorneys, advocates, and support staff, LANC serves thousands of North Carolinians each year, addressing critical legal needs in areas such as housing, family law, domestic violence, veterans’ issues, immigration, disaster relief, and more. From direct legal assistance to impactful advocacy, education, and innovation, LANC is committed to protecting and advancing the rights of North Carolina’s most vulnerable residents. For more information, visit www.legalaidnc.org.

Author: Helen Hobson

By Jonathan Perry, Managing Attorney, Legal Aid of North Carolina – Morganton Office

This past week in Bakersville, NC, I witnessed both heartbreaking devastation and awe-inspiring human resilience. In the wake of recent flooding and widespread damage in Mitchell County, we spent the day helping people sign up for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and FEMA relief. While providing computers and technical support, we quickly realized that this community’s needs extended beyond just paperwork. As the day went on, we began to encounter more traditional legal issues—housing, family law, and other challenges that our office at Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) often addresses.

What has struck me most, however, is how deeply rooted the people here are in their independence and strength. In these mountain communities, asking for help is not common. Many of the individuals we worked with have no power, no water, and no idea when they’ll be able to return to normalcy. Yet, they are humble, gracious, and, in some cases, hesitant to accept assistance from outsiders. One elderly woman, who had lost access to both power and water, tried to pay me for a simple Diet Coke I offered her. It was a moment that captured the deep self-reliance ingrained in so many here.

In Mitchell County, the community has rallied together in ways that go beyond formal aid. At the Mitchell Senior Center, a woman who was a stay-at-home mom just two weeks ago is now leading an eight-person team, coordinating volunteers to answer calls and dispatch help. They’ve received 158 open requests for help, and they’ve answered each one with precision and care. Outside the center, volunteers cook free meals daily for anyone in need, providing supplies without question or charge. This effort is being led by former schoolteachers and retirees who have seamlessly transitioned into roles that serve their neighbors in ways they never imagined.

Driving through nearby Avery County, in small towns like Plumtree and Minneapolis, the devastation is even harder to grasp. Entire homes have washed away, cars remain overturned in the middle of rivers, and sides of mountains have vanished. Amidst this destruction, communities have taken it upon themselves to clear roads, cut up fallen trees for firewood, and ensure that their neighbors are cared for. Every church I passed was providing free clothing, food, and water to anyone who needed it.

Despite the overwhelming need, the people here do not ask for help. They continue to rebuild, quietly and resolutely. It’s only after establishing trust, after hearing that I once lived in these mountains, that they begin to accept the possibility of applying for government assistance. But time is of the essence. Our window to reach these communities, to offer them the help they need and deserve, is small. As we continue to assist at disaster recovery centers (DRCs), I hope we can extend our efforts deeper into these hard-hit areas, to build relationships and deliver aid before the door closes.

To my colleagues and partners, thank you for everything you are doing to support these efforts. Your work matters deeply, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Jonathan Perry

Managing Attorney

Legal Aid of North Carolina – Morganton Office

This column shares Jonathan Perry’s firsthand experience in the recovery efforts following severe flooding in Western North Carolina, emphasizing the resilience of the local community and the importance of building trust to provide effective aid.

Author: Helen Hobson

The Disaster Legal Services program is a partnership among the North Carolina Bar
Association and Foundation, Legal Aid of North Carolina, American Bar Association, and FEMA
to assist North Carolina residents affected by natural disasters.

A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available for survivors of Tropical Storm
Helene in North Carolina. Disaster Legal Services, which allows callers to request the
assistance of a lawyer, is a partnership between the North Carolina Bar Association and
Foundation, Legal Aid of North Carolina, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division,
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Low-income survivors with disaster-related legal questions may call the disaster legal
assistance hotline at 866-219-5262. Callers should identify that they are seeking storm-related
legal assistance, ask for Disaster Legal Services assistance, and identify the county in which
they are located. Survivors who qualify for assistance will be matched with North Carolina
lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal help.

Legal assistance is available for the following issue areas:

  • FEMA appeals
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance and other disaster benefits
  • Insurance claims
  • Home repair contracts and contractor disputes
  • Contractor fraud and consumer protection matters
  • Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster
  • Mortgage-foreclosure
  • Landlord/tenant problems

Individuals who qualify for assistance will be matched with North Carolina lawyers who have
volunteered to provide free, limited legal help. Survivors should be aware that there are some
limitations on disaster legal services. For example, assistance is not available for cases that will
produce a fee (i.e., those cases where fees are paid part of the settlement by the court).

Major Disaster Declaration
A total of 26 North Carolina counties and tribes have been approved to receive federal
assistance in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene. The counties are: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe,
Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson,
Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania,
Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (additional
counties may be added later).

People who sustained property damage, need immediate emergency assistance for essential
items (like food, baby formula, or water), or need immediate housing assistance as a result of
Tropical Storm Helene are urged to apply for FEMA assistance, as they may be eligible for
federal and state disaster assistance. People can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Applicants may also call the FEMA Helpline (1-800-621-3362). Tropical Storm Helene survivors
are also encouraged to review Legal Aid of NC’s resource website at
www.legalaidnc.org/helene.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for
eligible applicants. SBA helps businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofit
organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of
replacing lost or damaged personal property. Disaster loans cover losses not fully
compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

For more information, individuals may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service
Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s
website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-
877-8339.

For more information on North Carolina’s recovery, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4827
and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website at https://www.ncdps.gov/ourorganization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene.

Beware of Fraud
Both FEMA and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office are warning North Carolina
residents of the risk of fraud and common scams in the wake of the severe weather. Common
post-disaster fraud practices include phony housing inspectors, fraudulent building
contractors, bogus pleas for disaster donations, and fake offers of state or federal aid. North
Carolinians are urged to ask questions and require identification when someone claims to
represent a government agency.

Survivors should also keep in mind that state and federal workers never ask for or accept
money, and always carry identification badges with a photograph. There is no fee required to
apply for or to receive disaster assistance from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA), or the state. Additionally, no state or federal government disaster assistance agency will
call to ask for your financial account information. Unless you place a call to the agency
yourself, you should not provide personal information over the phone as it can lead to identity
theft.

Those who suspect fraud can call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 (toll free).
Complaints may also be made to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office Consumer
Protection Hotline at 877-566-7226.

Background
When the U.S. President declares a major disaster, FEMA, in cooperation with the American Bar
Association Young Lawyers Division, helps to establish a toll-free number for disaster survivors
to request legal assistance. Funding for the toll-free line comes from FEMA under the authority
of Section 415 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency assistance Act (Public
Law 100-707). The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division in turn partners with state
bar associations and other legal organizations to recruit volunteer lawyers in affected areas to
handle survivors’ cases. In North Carolina, the North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers
Division partners with Legal Aid of North Carolina to offer a disaster legal services hotline that
provides legal information and referrals for civil legal issues. Survivors should be aware that
there are some limitations on disaster legal services. For example, assistance is not available
for cases that will produce a fee (i.e., those cases where attorneys are paid part of the
settlement by the court).

Partner Organizations
The following organizations have joined forces to establish a toll-free phone line for North
Carolina Tropical Storm Helene survivors to request free legal assistance, and to provide
volunteer attorneys to handle cases arising from hurricane related damage.

North Carolina Bar Association and Foundation – The North Carolina Bar Association is a
voluntary organization of lawyers, paralegals and law students dedicated to serving the public
and the legal profession. The North Carolina Bar Foundation provides support to the Disaster
Legal Services pro bono project and North Carolina Bar Association volunteers. The NCBA
Young Lawyers Division, often referred to as the service arm of the NCBA, is involved in a
multitude of worthwhile projects and public service endeavors, including Disaster Legal
Services.

Legal Aid of North Carolina – Legal aid of North Carolina is a statewide, non-profit law firm
that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in order to ensure access
to justice and to remove legal barriers to economic opportunity.

American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division – The ABA YLD, the largest national
organization of young lawyers, provides leadership in serving the public and the profession,
and promotes excellence and fulfillment in the practice of law. Its parent organization, the ABA,
is the national voice of the legal profession and one of the largest voluntary professional
membership groups in the world.

Federal Emergency Management Agency – FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role
in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all
domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. Through an
agreement with the American Bar Association, FEMA underwrites the cost of operating toll-free
legal assistance lines for survivors in areas designated as federal disaster sites.

Author: Helen Hobson

itle:  2024 Domestic Violence Awareness Month CLE:  True Crime in the Courtroom

Location:   Offered both online and in-person at Cambell Law School located at 225 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh NC 27603

Date:  Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Time:    3:00pm-7:30 p.m, with a half-hour dinner break beginning at 5pm.

  • For In-Person Attendees
    • Check-in will begin at 2:45.
    • A buffet-style dinner will be served.

CLE Credit:  Approved for 4 hrs of General Credit

Cost:   This event is FREE for all attendees (both virtual and in-person)

Registration Links:      

Sponsors:  Oak City Family Law and Wake Family Law Group are sponsors for this event.

Description:  This CLE event will feature Steve Epstein, author of Extreme Punishment:  The Shocking True Story of Acclaimed Law Professor Dan Markel’s Murder, providing an overview of the case, including the July 2014 murder, the joint police-FBI investigation, and four trials that ensued in a Tallahassee courtroom to hold every member of the conspiracy accountable.  He will also discuss the underlying dynamics of the divorce case between Prof. Markel and his wife Wendi—also an FSU law professor—that led inexorably to the tragic events whose aftermath is still playing out in legal proceedings 10 years later. Steve will explore how this case fits into the domestic violence laws of NC and how the case would play out with our current domestic violence statues. Steve will contrast the laws of the different states.  There will also be a presentation on recent updates to the case law affecting North Carolina domestic violence practice. The program will end with a panel of North Carolina judges discussing issues in domestic violence law.

Presenters:

Steven B. Epstein – Steve is a native of Long Island who graduated twice from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—first with a bachelor’s degree in political science (1987) and then with a law degree (1990).  His career began as a law clerk to a federal judge and included a stint as a law professor at the University of Illinois.  He’s been a practicing lawyer for nearly 35 years and has tried dozens of cases before judges and juries across North Carolina and has handled numerous appeals in state and federal courts.  Since 2010, Steve’s been a partner at Poyner Spruill LLP, where his practice concentrates on family law.  He is the author of three true crime books, with a fourth set for release in early 2025. 

Miranda Dues – A graduate of both Campbell Law School and Campbell University, Miranda is a Staff Attorney on the domestic violence team at Legal Aid of North Carolina. Prior to joining LANC, Miranda practiced in the areas of criminal defense and appellate law. Miranda also holds an LL.M from Nottingham-Trent University, and her dissertation was focused on immigration issues facing North Korean refugees. She developed a particular interest in this topic during her time teaching in Seoul, Korea. In her spare time, Miranda enjoys traveling and hiking the National Parks with her husband and spending time with her three cats.

Trynity Ojeda – Trynity is a Staff Attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC).  He works in LANC’s Raleigh Office in the DV Unit.  He worked with Marshall & Taylor, PLLC, before joining LANC in April 2024, and while at Campbell Law School, he was a student with the Gailor Family Law Litigation Clinic.  Trynity’s legal passion originated with the desire to empower clients to advocate for themselves despite the obstacles and challenges life may bring.  Trynity graduated from Campbell in 2023, and before law school, he obtained his master’s degree in clinical counseling with an emphasis on addictions from East Carolina University (ECU) in 2019.  He also obtained a bachelor’s in communication and psychology from ECU in 2016.

Chief District Court Judge Margaret Eagles – Wake County District Court

District Court Judge Sam Hamadani – Wake County District Court

District Court Judge Rashad Hauter – Wake County District Court

Author: Helen Hobson

To our North Carolina community, 

As we navigate the challenging aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Legal Aid of North Carolina stands united with our neighbors in this time of need. We understand that the impact of this storm has been devastating, particularly in Western North Carolina, where many of us as well as our friends and families are experiencing significant loss. Our hearts are heavy for those affected, including our staff and local offices who are also feeling the effects of this disaster. Together, we share in the grief and uncertainty, and we are committed to being here for you as we all work towards recovery. 

Legal Aid of North Carolina and our Disaster Relief Project are ready to assist individuals and families across North Carolina. Our services will focus on several key areas of support: 

  • FEMA Applications and Appeals: We are here to assist those affected by disasters in navigating the process of applying for FEMA disaster benefits. Our team will stand by your side throughout any necessary appeals. Understanding the legal processes and required documents for eligibility—whether for temporary housing, loans for repairs, or other essential needs—can be challenging at any time, but it is especially difficult during an immediate crisis. 
  • Long-Term Support for Homeowners and Renters: Whether you’re a homeowner facing property damage or a renter dealing with displacement, our team is here to provide ongoing legal support as you work to rebuild and recover. 
  • Assistance for Long-Term Recovery Groups: Recovery after a disaster requires coordinated community efforts. Legal Aid of North Carolina is dedicated to supporting long-term recovery groups by guiding them in forming 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and providing general legal support to help navigate the complex disaster relief landscape. 
  • Fraud Support: In times of crisis, there are those who seek to exploit vulnerable communities. We will stand with victims of fraud, helping them navigate the legal landscape and take action against dishonest practices. 

Once it is safe to travel, our team will promptly deploy to Western North Carolina to provide immediate assistance and relief to the hardest-hit areas, ensuring that no community faces this disaster alone. 

Together, we will recover, rebuild, and restore our communities. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, we encourage you to reach out to Legal Aid of North Carolina for support. We are here for you. 

To learn more about how you can get help, please visit legalaidnc.org/tropical-storm-helene-disaster-assistance. 

Sincerely, 
Legal Aid of North Carolina 

Author: Helen Hobson

Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) celebrates the first anniversary of its Innovation Lab—the first of its kind within a legal services organization. The Innovation Lab was established to identify and implement creative solutions to bridge the justice gap and modernize legal service delivery. In its inaugural year, the lab has made remarkable progress, particularly in serving rural and underserved communities.

The Innovation Lab’s mission is rooted in tackling the two major challenges facing legal aid programs: securing resources to serve more people and developing cost-effective ways to deliver legal help. By integrating technology, human-centered design, and data-driven insights, the lab operates as a hub of creativity, partnering with community organizations, law schools, justice tech experts, and clients to find innovative solutions to systemic issues.

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has recognized LANC’s innovative approach, highlighting it as a potential model for improving legal service delivery on its Talk Justice podcast, in an episode titled “The First Legal Aid Innovation Lab.” LSC has also supported this effort through a significant technology and innovation grant. The Innovation Lab serves as a blueprint for modernizing legal aid, offering practical strategies to better meet the needs of underserved communities across the country.

Over the past year, the lab has tackled barriers to access to justice through a variety of projects:

Key Achievements of the Innovation Lab:

  1. LANC-LIA: In partnership with LawDroid, the lab launched an AI-powered virtual assistant, delivering high-quality legal information and easy access to resources for communities across North Carolina.
  2. EZ Expunge Tool: The lab revamped the expunction petition process through a tech solution that helps individuals clear their criminal records, opening doors to new opportunities.
  3. LANCMobile: A mobile legal services unit was deployed to bring on-the-go legal assistance to remote and underserved areas of the state.
  4. LANC & Libraries: This partnership integrated legal resources and support services into local libraries, expanding access to justice for community members through a trusted, accessible institution.
  5. Rural Innovation Hub: The lab launched this hub to collaborate with clients, local, and regional partners to create a model for delivering legal services to rural communities.
  6. Innovation Olympics: The lab established the first-ever Innovation Olympics—a staff-driven program to foster a culture of creativity and cross-departmental collaboration.
  7. Innovation Fund: Created to support ongoing and future innovation projects, the fund ensures the lab’s continuous efforts to push the boundaries of legal services delivery.

As the lab entered its second year, it launched the National Justice Tech Form—a crowdsourcing platform shaped by input from legal services programs nationwide. This initiative fosters collaboration in developing technology solutions to address access-to-justice gaps, strengthening partnerships between legal services and the broader legal and justice technology community.

Scheree Gilchrist, LANC’s chief innovation officer, said, “Our first year has been a remarkable journey in transforming how we deliver legal services. We are excited to continue innovating, addressing challenges, and sharing these solutions on a national scale.”

The need for innovations like these is immense. The U.S. legal system does not guarantee the right to a lawyer in civil matters, and studies show that 92% of civil legal issues among low-income Americans receive little to no assistance. In North Carolina, around two million residents eligible for LANC services still face access barriers, particularly in geographically isolated regions.

A Look Ahead: Expanding on the Foundational Vision

The Innovation Lab was first conceived to address the overwhelming demand for legal help in North Carolina, particularly through the modernization of LANC’s helpline, which receives more than 360,000 calls annually. Of these, 260,000 calls go unanswered due to capacity limitations. The lab’s inaugural project aimed to reimagine this entry point to legal services, enhancing how individuals can access help via multiple platforms like text messaging and community partner networks. This remains a core focus as the lab continues to innovate ways to better serve North Carolinians.

As the lab marks this milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to using cutting-edge technologies, collaborative solutions, and data-driven insights to bridge the justice gap and serve as a national leader in legal services innovation.

To learn more about the Innovation Lab and its mission, visit legalaidnc.org/innovation-lab.

Author: Helen Hobson

Date: 10/24/2024

Time: 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Description: This CLE presentation will explain and explore pro bono work that can be done in a few hours with no experience required.  Presenters will focus on the need for pro bono and provide an introduction and short training for two projects:  Lawyer on the Line- Housing Conditions and Remote Wills and Advance Directives.

Presenters:

Allison Constance: Allison joined Legal Aid of North Carolina as Director of Pro Bono Programs in 2023. She worked as Director of Pro Bono Initiatives at UNC School of Law from 2016-2023, where she also served as an adjunct professor. She began her career as an attorney at North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services, Inc., following her graduation from UNC School of Law in 2009. 

Hannah Guerrier: Hannah joined the Legal Aid of North Carolina Pro Bono Programs team as a supervising attorney in 2023. She also serves as the Community Engagement Manager for the Charlotte office. She’s been with Legal Aid of North Carolina since 2016, serving first as a staff attorney and then a supervising attorney in the Charlotte office Housing Unit. She earned her JD from Georgetown Law and her bachelor’s from Duke University.

Approved for 1hr of General Credit

Registration Link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1251171007178015584.

Author: Helen Hobson

Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) will host its annual Day of Giving on Sept. 25, 2024, a statewide campaign aimed at raising $100,000 to support vital legal services for individuals and families across all 100 counties in North Carolina. This year’s theme, #StandwithLANC, invites everyone to join the movement to support veterans, survivors of domestic violence, families, children, seniors, and others who cannot afford legal representation.

At LANC, we believe that access to justice is a right, not a privilege. Every donation helps us empower people who face life-altering challenges by providing them with critical legal support. The work we do changes lives—giving people the opportunity to stay in their homes, find safety, and secure brighter futures for themselves and their families.

How You Can Help:

  1. Donate – Contributions can be made directly at legalaidnc.org/donate or on LANC’s Just Giving page.
  2. Spread the Word – Share our social media posts or create your own using the hashtag #StandwithLANC. A toolkit with resources is available at legalaidnc.org/standwithlanc.
  3. Create a JustGiving Page – Click “Start Fundraising” at JustGiving to create your own fundraiser in support of Legal Aid of North Carolina. Share your personal story of why you stand with us!

“Every donation brings us closer to closing the justice gap in North Carolina,” says Helen Hobson, chief communications officer at LANC. “The funds raised will enable us to provide life-changing legal support to more people, ensuring that all North Carolinians—regardless of income—have the opportunity for a fair and just outcome.”

Join Us Online:

About Legal Aid of North Carolina
Legal Aid of North Carolina is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to providing free legal services in civil matters to low-income individuals and families. Our mission is to ensure equal access to justice for all North Carolinians, regardless of income.

For more information about the Day of Giving, visit legalaidnc.org/standwithlanc or contact Helen Hobson at HelenH2@legalaidnc.org.

Author: Helen Hobson

Innovative work to be distributed across 170 public television stations nationwide

Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) is proud to announce its selection to be featured in an upcoming segment of Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid, a leading educational television program that highlights stories and initiatives with the potential to make a difference in communities across the nation. The segment will focus on LANC’s work, including the Innovation Lab and LANCMobile, and will be distributed to over 170 public television stations across the United States for a full year, beginning on October 28, 2024.

As an organization dedicated to providing free legal services to North Carolina’s most vulnerable communities, LANC continues to lead with innovation. Through its Innovation Lab, LANC has developed tools such as LIA, an AI-powered virtual assistant and the revamped EZ Expunge tool, which are transforming how legal services are delivered. The LANCMobile, a mobile intake unit, extends access to legal support into the state’s most underserved areas, ensuring that more North Carolinians receive the help they need, no matter where they live.

“This feature on Viewpoint is a great opportunity to showcase how Legal Aid is using technology and innovation to better serve our communities,” said Helen Hobson, Chief Communications Officer at Legal Aid of North Carolina. “We hope it will bring attention to our mission and the critical services we provide across the state.”

Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid is renowned for producing top-quality programming focused on social and educational issues. Hosted by actor Dennis Quaid, the series emphasizes stories that educate and inspire audiences to take action. The creative team at Viewpoint is dedicated to delivering diverse, high-quality documentaries, making it a fitting platform to share LANC’s story and its mission to improve the lives of North Carolina’s residents through impactful legal services.

The segment featuring LANC’s work will be distributed to over 170 public television stations across the U.S. and will run for a full year, giving viewers the opportunity to learn about the essential services LANC provides and its ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers to justice.

Watch the Segment Below

Author: Helen Hobson

Date: 10/03/2024

Time: 12:00pm to 1:30pm

Description: This CLE is designed to provide attorneys, paralegals, and advocates a deeper dive into writing Reasonable Accommodation Requests under the Fair Housing Act and enforcing violations of the Fair Housing Act if a Reasonable Accommodation Request is improperly denied. Reasonable Accommodations are a powerful tool to enable persons with disabilities to access and preserve housing. The presentation will provide a brief overview of the Fair Housing Act and explain Reasonable Accommodations and best practices for drafting and securing Reasonable Accommodations. The presentation will also provide procedural, substantive, and practical information about renewing reasonable accommodation requests through demand letters, as well as enforcing Fair Housing violations through the administrative complaint process. Assisting clients with seeking a Reasonable Accommodation is a wonderful opportunity for pro bono attorneys to provide a meaningful legal service and support persons with disabilities to have equal access to housing. Knowledge about the administrative complaint process enables advocates to know “what comes next?” if a reasonable accommodation is denied. 

Presenters:

Lauren Brasil: Lauren Brasil is a Co-Director and Managing Attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Fair Housing Project. Ms. Brasil represents victims of housing discrimination across the State in fair housing administrative proceedings before the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and State and local administrative agencies, as well as in State and federal court. She has presented at fair housing seminars for housing consumers, advocates, attorneys, and housing providers. Ms. Brasil is a member of the North Carolina State Bar. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Lehigh University and her J.D. at Temple University School of Law.

Hope Williams: Hope Williams is a supervising attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Fair Housing Project where she represents victims of housing discrimination across the State. Hope has worked at Legal Aid of North Carolina since 2006, and previously was a staff attorney at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Before joining the Fair Housing Project, Hope handled special education cases for students in public schools and immigration cases for victims of domestic violence and trafficking. She also spent several years at Legal Aid’s Centralized Intake Unit where she advised clients in a wide range of civil law matters and supervised Legal Aid’s Fair Housing intake and advice cases. Hope graduated from The University of Texas School of Law and got her undergraduate degree in History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Approved for 1.5hrs of General Credit