Category: Media release

RALEIGH, N.C. – Legal Aid of North Carolina announces a Conciliation and Voluntary Compliance Agreement, resolving a housing discrimination complaint filed against the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR). The complaint was filed on behalf of an individual whose application to the ReBuild NC Homeowner Recovery Program was rejected due to proof of ownership requirements applied to owners of heirs’ properties. The ReBuild NC Homeowner Recovery Program administers Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) funds to assist survivors of Hurricanes Matthew and Florence in rebuilding their homes.

The complaint, filed in February 2023 with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), alleged that NCORR’s proof of ownership requirements, as applied to owners of heirs’ properties, disproportionately impacted and denied equal housing opportunities to Black/African American homeowners seeking disaster recovery assistance funds, in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. “Heirs’ property” is a term used to describe family-owned property that is passed between generations of family members without a valid will or formal estate. While heirs’ property can present challenges, each heir shares legal ownership of the entire property with the other heirs and can maintain it through repairs, improvements, and payment of property taxes. Decades of research shows that heirs’ property issues most often impact Black families, and that heirs’ properties, particularly in the South, are disproportionately owned by Black/African American landowners.

As a result of the Conciliation and Voluntary Compliance Agreement, Respondent NCORR has agreed to:

Adopt a new proof of ownership policy, now in Version 9.0 of the CDBG-DR Homeowner Recovery Program Manual and corresponding forms, that complies with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act. Under the revised policy, owners of heirs’ property will now only need to agree that they have or will notify, in whatever way they see fit, any party that may have an ownership interest in the property about their participation in the ReBuild program, if such parties are known to the applicant;
Provide written notice of the new policy to the approximately 74 applicants previously rejected from, or otherwise deemed ineligible for, the ReBuild Homeowner Recovery Program due to previous proof of ownership requirements as applied to owners of heirs’ property;
Allow these approximately 74 applicants previously rejected from the program due to the prior proof of ownership requirements applied to owners of heirs’ property to submit appeals for reentry into the Program; and
Train NCORR staff on the requirements of the new policy.

With these changes, NCORR affirms its commitment to compliance with federal fair housing laws, which prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability.

“Legal Aid of North Carolina is proud to announce this resolution, which reduces unnecessary barriers for owners in heirs’ properties to access crucial disaster relief funding, while also preserving the existing homeownership structure and keeping these properties in the family. We hope that these revised policies can serve as a model for other disaster relief programs in North Carolina and CDBG-DR funded programs across the country,” said A.D. Skaff, Supervising Attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Fair Housing Project.

“We commend NCORR for prioritizing fair housing, implementing these new policies, and working with us to resolve this matter, so all homeowners in North Carolina recovering from devastating natural disasters have equal housing opportunities, said Lauren Brasil, Co-Director and Managing Attorney of Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Fair Housing Project.

A copy of the Conciliation Agreement is available here.

Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of housing discrimination can contact Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Fair Housing Project by calling 1-855-797-3247.

Legal Aid of North Carolina’s involvement in this litigation was made possible in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program.

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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 to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers to economic opportunity. Learn more at legalaidnc.org.

Media Contact

Helen Hobson, Chief Communications Officer, 704-430-7616, HelenH2@legalaidnc.org

Category: Media release

NCCU Law, NCBA Corporate Counsel Section, Legal Aid NC partner up for expunction event

DURHAM · NC Central University School of Law and our Durham Expunction and Restoration (DEAR) Program hosted some special guests April 5 at an expunction clinic at the law school. Members of the Corporate Counsel Section of the NC Bar Association joined us to partner with law students to provide pro bono expunctions to Legal Aid NC clients in Durham.

“I was worried this would be really complicated, but it wasn’t” said Elizabeth McKee, Chair of the Corporate Counsel Section, who volunteered at the event. “It was really easy. It helped that I partnered with a seasoned person who knew what they were doing.”

That “seasoned person” was NCCU Law 2L Taiesha Morgan, a frequent participant in the law school’s expunction clinics. Asked about her interest in the subject, Taiesha, who wants to work in criminal law, said, “People have the right to expunge their records, but it’s a complicated process. Just being able to help is awesome.”

Providing an opportunity for law students to network with attorneys was an important goal of the clinic, according to Jane Paksoy, Co-Chair of the Corporate Counsel Section’s Pro Bono/Community Service Committee, who participated in the event along with fellow Co-Chair Tracy Gaskins. Another goal was to provide in-house counsel with a meaningful and manageable pro bono opportunity.

“In-house attorneys have less exposure to traditional pro bono opportunities than some of our colleagues,” Jane said. “Pro bono opportunities like today’s clinic are ideal for in-house attorneys. You don’t need a criminal law background to do expunction work and it’s a meaningful way to make an impact in a short amount of time.”

Making an impact is what motivates Lakethia Jefferies, Director of the Pro Bono Clinic at NCCU Law, to organize these clinics. She wants to show students the meaningful difference that attorneys can make in the real world.

“People with criminal records may not be able to get housing or jobs,” Lakethia said. “Something as simple as clearing a few marks off someone’s record can make a world of difference. These clinics allow law students to do access-to-justice work and see what a difference they can make for real clients. It also shows students that regardless of what practice area they go into, they can still do this work as a volunteer and make a difference.”

Ali Nininger-Finch, attorney with our DEAR Program, provided training to the law students and attorneys on how to prepare an expunction petition. Ali and DEAR paralegal Jeremiah Brutus (an NCCU Law alum), provided support to the volunteers during the clinic.

Photos

NCCU Law 2L Vanessa Johnson (left) and attorney Laura Snead Morgan from LM Advocacy & Consulting

Category: Media release

← Back to For Seniors

Lenoir, NC – Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) recently organized a free wills clinic in Caldwell County, providing legal assistance to seniors in the community. The event, held on March 18th and 19th at the Caldwell County Library, saw 47 seniors receive support from LANC staff and volunteers.

The clinic aimed to address a crucial need among the elderly population by offering guidance and assistance in drafting wills and advanced directives. For many seniors, ensuring their affairs are in order brings a sense of security and peace of mind. By providing these services at no cost, LANC is increasing access to justice and legal resources for vulnerable members of the community.

“I was very pleased and delighted to meet with the LANC attorneys,” said Ms. Hernandez (pictured on the right), a client who received assistance at the clinic. “Everyone was very friendly and made me feel very comfortable during this process. I am grateful that [they] were there to guide me and provide this much-needed service.”

During the two-day event, LANC staff and volunteers provided personalized support to each attendee, ensuring their individual needs and concerns were addressed. From drafting legal documents to providing guidance on estate planning, the clinic offered comprehensive assistance to help seniors navigate complex legal processes.

Staff Attorney Savannah Morgan shared her experience, highlighting the connection formed with seniors throughout the clinic. “It is very fulfilling to be able to serve seniors in this way,” Morgan remarked. “I received so many hugs during the two-day will clinic. It is always great to chat and get to know our clients.”

LANC is committed to serving communities across the state, advocating for the rights and needs of low-income individuals and families. Events like the free wills clinic in Caldwell County highlight the organization’s dedication to providing essential legal services and resources to those who need them most.

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Media Contact

Helen Hobson, Chief Communications Officer, 704-430-7616, HelenH2@legalaidnc.org

Category: Media release

← Back to Education

RALEIGH, NC – Following a complaint filed by Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Right to Education Project (REP), the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) launched a formal investigation into the Wake County Public School System’s (WCPSS) treatment of students with disabilities. The complaint exposes a harsh reality: struggling students with emotional disabilities are being isolated instead of nurtured within the school system.

The complaint, filed on behalf of two African-American students with disabilities who attended East Garner Magnet Middle School (EGMMS), highlights systemic issues at EGMMS and within the district. Despite being bright and creative, the students were repeatedly suspended and removed from their classrooms when displaying dysregulated behaviors. Instead of receiving the necessary support to manage their disabilities and emotions effectively, they were frequently confined to a “behavior stabilization” room, isolated from educational opportunities and peer interaction.

“No parent should have to watch their child endure what my eyes have seen,” declared Ms. Green*, mother of one of the affected children. “There are no support groups, there’s no help. I hope no other child has to endure what my child has endured.”

This investigation follows a lawsuit filed by a WCPSS family whose 8-year-old daughter was repeatedly restrained and forced into a seclusion room. Through the settlement, the public learned Wake County secluded 240 students during the 2022-2023 school year, 44 percent of them being Black students. While a “behavior stabilization” room is different from formal seclusion, these stories highlight a disturbing pattern: perpetuating a culture of isolation instead of offering the necessary support and resources for students to heal and thrive.

“While the investigation by DPI in response to our complaint focuses on systemic practices at EGMMS, the experiences of the students named are not anomalies,” noted Hetali Lodaya, lead attorney for the complaint. “Community members tell us that students across the district—particularly students of color with disabilities—routinely face similar patterns of isolation and ostracization. They are seen as a “problem” to be removed from the classroom, rather than as young people who deserve an education just like their peers.”

“Our public schools face enormous challenges to fund support and resources for children with disabilities,” said Susan Book, a WCPSS parent and community advocate. “However, it costs zero dollars to treat all children with dignity and basic human decency.”

The complaint requests several remedies to address both individual and systemic violations. Among the requested remedies are compensatory services for named and similarly situated students, independent evaluations, and extensive training and support for school-based staff working with students with disabilities.

Access the full complaint here.

“When educators are trained to help students identify and regulate their emotions, develop healthy communication skills, and build resilience, all students benefit—not just those with disabilities,” emphasized Bekah Brown, Policy and Curriculum Specialist with Education Justice Alliance. “When we commit to investing in more than just the bare essentials, we not only fulfill our educational duty, but we also lay the foundation for a more just and compassionate society.”

This complaint is the fifth systemic complaint that REP has filed against WCPSS regarding its treatment of students with disabilities.

Lodaya shares: “When I asked one of the students named in this complaint what he wanted people to know about what happened to him, I was moved by his response: ‘Don’t let nobody get you down.’ Just as he continues to strive for more, we at REP will continue to fight alongside our clients and our communities for the creation of inclusive and equitable educational opportunities for all.”

*Name changed to protect client confidentiality

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Category: Media release

Charlotte, NC – Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) is proud to announce that Larissa Mervin, Managing Attorney of their Charlotte office, has been named one of Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award recipients for 2024. This accolade celebrates Larissa’s outstanding contributions to the non-profit world and her leadership within the legal community.

Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Awards annually celebrate 40 emerging leaders who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in their organizations, communities, and industries before reaching the age of 40. Larissa Mervin’s inclusion underscores her accomplishments and influence as a legal advocate, community leader, and visionary.

Expressing her gratitude for the award, Larissa remarked, “I’m profoundly grateful for this award and feel fortunate to receive recognition for doing meaningful work that I deeply care about. The fact that I get to do it alongside the most amazing friends, colleagues, and organizational partners – all of whom consistently empower me to be the attorney I am and are also deserving of recognition in their own right – is just icing on the cake! Thank you to the Charlotte Business Journal for the recognition, and to my friends at Legal Aid and our pro bono partners for the nomination. I am incredibly appreciative.”

Larissa’s professional journey is characterized by her commitment to serving marginalized communities. Her passion for family law and domestic violence advocacy ignited early in her career, leading her to roles at Triangle Family Services and subsequently at LANC, where she interned during law school. Throughout her tenure, Larissa has advocated for vulnerable individuals and families, providing crucial legal representation, mentorship, and support.

In her role as a domestic violence staff attorney, Larissa litigated civil domestic violence protective orders, civil no-contact orders, and temporary custody cases, all while training and supervising peers and interns. Her leadership and dedication propelled her through the ranks at LANC, where she now serves as Managing Attorney for the Charlotte office and Regional Managing Attorney for surrounding areas – achieving these roles at a young age.

Beyond her professional achievements, Larissa is dedicated to community involvement. She volunteers for the Heritage, Arts, and Cultural Committee in Harrisburg, North Carolina, promoting art and multicultural awareness. Additionally, Larissa is actively engaged with her church, leading high school girls and participating in outreach initiatives locally and internationally.

Larissa’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and community service continues to inspire her colleagues and peers.

Category: Media release

Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) announces the temporary limitation of intake for its Second Chance Project as it undergoes a strategic reconfiguration to enhance its impact. This decision comes as part of LANC’s commitment to continually innovate and improve its services to better meet the evolving needs of the community.

Emily Mistr, head of the Second Chance Project, explains, “We are essentially shutting down the Second Chance Project as it has existed and reconfiguring it. Up to now, we have primarily provided general intake and clinic events for expunction and some driver’s license restoration services to the public. We now aim to refocus our efforts to serve targeted populations more effectively.”

In collaboration with LANC’s Innovation Lab, Mistr will lead the reorganization effort. During this transition period, the project will have intake limitations to ensure efficient resource allocation:

Services in New Hanover County: Due to overwhelming demand in New Hanover County, we are pausing phone intake for Second Chance Wilmington. We will only be accepting direct referrals from Port City United.

Durham County Services: Individuals residing in Durham or with cases in Durham seeking expunction or license restoration assistance should apply for services in person at the DEAR office in the Durham County courthouse.

General Intake for Other Areas Suspended: For residents outside of Durham, general intake for expunction or license restoration services is temporarily suspended.

“We understand the importance of these services for individuals seeking a second chance and are committed to ensuring a smooth transition,” says Mistr. “We anticipate unveiling the new program by mid-June, after thorough strategic planning and meetings.”

Legal Aid of North Carolina remains dedicated to its mission of providing access to justice for all, and this reconfiguration of the Second Chance Project reflects its ongoing efforts to innovate and adapt to best serve the community.

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Media Contact

Helen Hobson, Chief Communications Officer, 704-430-7616, HelenH2@legalaidnc.org

Category: Media release

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Meet Hannah Guerrier, our Charlotte Community Engagement Manager, a new role for both her and Legal Aid of North Carolina. In November 2023, Hannah transitioned from Supervising Attorney in our Charlotte office’s housing unit to assume the role, the first of its kind for our organization.

Hannah serves as the liaison with our supporters and stakeholders in the Queen City, including our robust corps of pro bono volunteers. She leads Legal Aid of North Carolina’s involvement with the Charlotte Triage Pro Bono Partnership, a citywide effort to harness the power of pro bono to meet residents’ unmet legal needs.

You’ll find Hannah on the scene at the partnership’s monthly eviction-court clinics, which provide on-the-spot legal advice and representation to tenants facing eviction, and its monthly Lawyer on the Line clinics, which provide free legal advice to tenants struggling with dangerous and unsanitary housing conditions. She also helps organize the partnership’s monthly domestic violence clinics, held jointly with Safe Alliance, where pro bono volunteers help survivors draft complaints for Domestic Violence Protective Orders.

Keep reading to learn more about Hannah.

In her own words

Why is pro bono so important?

Because legal representation in matters of safety and stability is essential to achieving actual justice. We see how representation changes outcomes for litigants every day – whether it’s a domestic violence survivor seeking and protective order or a tenant trying to defend against an eviction. And because the need for these services is greater than Legal Aid staff can address on their own.

What’s the best part of your job?

As cliche as it sounds, the people. I get to work every day with some of the most genuine and hardworking human beings on behalf of other genuine and hardworking human beings. It’s a pleasure and an honor to help bring justice to our communities alongside such dedicated advocates.

What do you do in your free time?

Spoil my three pups with treats, walks, and cuddles. Puzzles and board games with my husband. And travel as much as I possibly can with him.

At a glance

Legal Aid of North Carolina

Charlotte Community Engagement Manager, 2023 – Present
Supervising Attorney, Housing Unit, Charlotte office, 2020 – 2023
Staff Attorney, Housing Unit, Charlotte office, 2018 – 2020
Housing Fellow Attorney, Charlotte office, 2016 – 2017

Selected previous experience

Georgetown Law Juvenile Justice Clinic, Graduate Legal Assistant and Student Attorney
US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Law Clerk
Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Child Protection Section Law Clerk

Education

Georgetown University Law Center, JD
Duke University, BS and AB

Category: Media release

Whether you volunteer with our Heir Property Pro Bono Project, are interested in volunteering, or simply want to learn more about heir property and genealogy, you can’t go wrong by attending this free, virtual lunch-and-learn on March 28.

Sarah Carrier, Research and Instruction Librarian at the Wilson Special Collections Library at UNC Chapel Hill, will discuss genealogical research methods using hypotheticals and real-world examples, and will address nuances related to accessing records in various formats in different areas of the state.

Details

Date: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Format: Zoom

Presenter

Sarah Carrier is the Research and Instruction Librarian at the Wilson Special Collections Library at UNC Chapel Hill, where she supports research related to the history, people and culture of North Carolina, engaging with a wide variety of communities to meet their information needs.

Her work includes providing research services in the library’s reading rooms, working with faculty and instructors to incorporate the use of the collection into courses and workshops, providing instruction and support to students, and working with community members, groups and educators across the state to access collection materials.

Sarah has both her master’s in Library and Information Science and her bachelor’s from UNC Chapel Hill, and a certification in Data Science and Data Analytics from Springboard.

Learn more about Sarah on LinkedIn.

Category: Media release

The Cadwalader law firm, with support from Wells Fargo, held this month’s Charlotte Triage housing conditions clinic March 5 at the firm’s Charlotte office.

The monthly clinics are a new part of the Charlotte Triage Pro Bono Partnership, the Queen City legal community’s concerted effort to harness the power of pro bono to meet residents’ most pressing legal needs. The clinics are organized by a rotating group of the partnership’s Housing Champions—private attorneys responsible for directing services to Legal Aid NC’s housing clients.

At the clinics, which are also part of our Lawyer on the Line program, volunteers provide free, valuable legal advice over the phone to Legal Aid NC clients struggling with dangerous and unsanitary housing conditions.

Thanks to Christopher Dickson at Cadwalader for serving as a Charlotte Triage Housing Champion, Todd Stillerman at Wells Fargo for co-chairing the Charlotte Triage Task Force, and Glenn Huether at Wells Fargo for her longtime support of these clinics.

Check out these great photos from the event!

Photos

BACK (l to r): Brittany Mullen (Wells Fargo), Caleb Eiland (Cadwalader), Kevin Sholette (Cadwalader), Hannah Guerrier (Legal Aid NC), Todd Stillerman (Wells Fargo), Chris Dickson (Cadwalader), Remington Jackson (Parker Poe). FRONT (l to r): Sara Markov (Cadwalader), Anna O’Neal (Wells Fargo), Glenn Huether (Wells Fargo), Eunji Jo (Cadwalader), Annie George (Wells Fargo), Ayrin Cooke (US District Court, Western District of NC)

Category: Media release

We ❤️ our pro bono volunteers! Dana Lumsden, partner with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP in Charlotte, recently scored a big win for one of our housing clients.

In 2022, our attorneys helped our client settle an eviction case with her landlord. As part of the settlement, the landlord agreed to waive rent that was still owed by our client. Soon after, the landlord reneged and sought to claim the rent they had agreed to waive. We turned to Dana for help.

Dana immediately swung into action, filing suit in small claims court to stop the landlord from taking the rent, which was rightfully our client’s. After learning of Dana’s suit, the landlord relented, acknowledging our client’s right to the rent and agreeing to pay interest and attorney’s fees, an amount totaling more than $5,000—a huge sum of money for our client.

Dana is no stranger to pro bono. He serves as a Housing Champion for the Charlotte Triage Pro Bono Partnership, the Queen City legal community’s concerted effort to use pro bono to meet residents’ most pressing legal needs. As a Housing Champion, Dana helps direct the partnership’s services to our housing clients. In recognition of his pro bono service, the Mecklenburg County Bar honored him with an Individual Pro Bono Award last year.

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