Many of you have seen news stories about the statewide legislative freeze on the North Carolina IOLTA Board, which has paused the Board’s ability to make grants to civil legal aid organizations in North Carolina. This freeze created a significant and almost immediate loss of revenue for Legal Aid of North Carolina. I know this has created real uncertainty about the future of our work, and we want to speak to that openly and with care.

Over the last several weeks, our staff, board, and partners have worked to understand what this unprecedented situation means for our clients, our programs, and our long-term mission. As we have evaluated the impact of this sudden loss of funding, it has become clear that we cannot move forward without making difficult organizational changes. People are understandably wondering whether we will be able to maintain our services, support our teams, and continue protecting the stability of families across North Carolina. These questions are real, and they deserve honest answers.

Legal Aid of North Carolina is one of the most consequential nonprofit law firms in the United States in terms of the number of people served. We have reached that level of impact because of the extraordinary staff, lawyers, and pro bono volunteers who have devoted themselves to this work for decades. Their dedication has ensured that people in both rural and urban communities across North Carolina have access to safety, stability, and justice when they need it most. Because we value this work and the people who make it possible, we must make thoughtful and responsible decisions about how we adapt to this crisis.

Why These Changes Are Necessary

The unprecedented statewide freeze on IOLTA grants has created a major and unexpected loss of revenue. This is our second-largest funding source and has historically supported some of our most essential work. Because of the size and immediacy of this loss, we must take steps to realign our budget and ensure that we remain strong and sustainable in the years ahead.

To respond responsibly to this sudden funding gap, we are restructuring our operations, consolidating parts of our footprint, and reducing our workforce so that Legal Aid of North Carolina can continue to serve the public effectively and responsibly. These decisions are incredibly painful. They affect colleagues we deeply value, admire, and respect.

Our Commitment to Our Team

The people of Legal Aid of North Carolina are central to our mission and to the impact we have across this state. Their dedication has supported families facing natural disasters, family violence, financial strain, health crises, and other threats to their stability. As we move through this transition, we are committed to responsible stewardship and honoring the service of the colleagues who have built this organization. We will continue working to create a stable and purposeful future for the staff who remain and for the communities we serve.

Our Commitment to North Carolina

Even in this difficult moment, our mission remains unchanged. Legal Aid of North Carolina will continue to provide high-quality legal services in housing, safety, family stability, economic security, health, and consumer rights. The people of North Carolina can continue to rely on us for protection during some of the hardest moments in their lives.

The Path Forward

We will emerge from this period leaner, but we will also emerge more resilient and prepared for the future of civil legal services. The innovation work we began several years ago with the creation of The Innovation Lab, including our modernized client intake system, new technology tools, and expanded digital access to legal information, is now helping us adapt to this crisis. These tools will reduce bottlenecks, increase efficiency, and allow us to reach more people with fewer resources.

Looking Ahead

We did not choose this moment, but Legal Aid of North Carolina will endure. We will adapt. We will continue to stand with the people of this state, today and every day ahead.

Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) is proud to announce the launch of LIA 2.0, the next generation of its groundbreaking Legal Information Assistant. First introduced in 2024, LIA has already transformed how North Carolinians access reliable legal information. With this major upgrade, LIA 2.0 expands capability, speed, and accessibility, setting a new standard for how civil legal aid organizations use technology to close the justice gap.

Developed by LANC’s Innovation Lab in collaboration with LawDroid, LIA 2.0 builds on the success of the original LIA by introducing a modernized architecture designed for faster, more dependable performance, enhanced data protections, and smarter analytics that help LANC measure real-time impact and client needs.

For the first time, LIA 2.0 also includes an intelligent voice agent that allows people to speak naturally with LIA. This feature significantly expands accessibility for users with limited literacy, limited English proficiency, disabilities, or those who simply prefer speaking over typing.

“LIA 2.0 represents the next chapter in our work to deliver high-quality legal information to every North Carolinian who needs it,” said Scheree Gilchrist, Chief Innovation Officer at LANC. “The justice gap remains profound in our state and across the country. Innovations like LIA help us meet people where they are—quickly, safely, and in multiple languages. This launch is the first of many innovations the Innovation Lab will debut in the coming months, including a redesigned AI-powered Get Help page and JusticeHub, our new client portal and intake system.”

The original LIA launched in 2024 to provide reliable legal information, multilingual explanations of legal processes, and referrals to resources on LANC’s website. Designed to support people facing civil legal issues such as domestic violence, child custody, eviction, housing discrimination, and consumer scams, LIA uses advanced natural language processing to interpret and answer general legal questions with accuracy and clarity.

“LIA has already made our website more user-friendly and our educational resources more accessible,” said Helen Headrick, Chief Communications Officer at LANC. “In its first year, it supported more than 50,000 conversations with people seeking legal information. With LIA 2.0, we are expanding that accessibility even further, especially with the new voice assistant. This is about removing barriers and helping people get trustworthy legal information fast.”

For LawDroid, LIA 2.0 is also a major milestone.

“LIA 2.0 marks a major leap forward for LANC and LawDroid,” said Tom Martin, CEO of LawDroid. “We have introduced a modernized architecture for speed and reliability, stronger protections for sensitive data, intuitive dashboards that make impact measurement effortless, and for the first time, an intelligent voice agent that makes interacting with LIA as natural as a conversation.”

LIA 2.0 supports LANC’s mission to close the civil justice gap, where 92 percent of substantial civil legal needs for low-income Americans go unmet. By expanding access to clear, accurate information and offering self-service tools for simple legal issues, LIA 2.0 helps individuals navigate legal challenges with greater confidence and ease.

LIA 2.0 is available now at legalaidnc.org.

Please note: LIA provides general legal information and does not offer legal advice. Individuals should consult with an attorney for guidance on specific legal matters.

Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) will close its Goldsboro office after 24 years due to the statewide freeze on Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) funding passed by the General Assembly in June. The freeze has resulted in a loss of roughly $6.3 million for LANC, forcing the organization to make difficult decisions that directly impact the communities it serves. 

This is the third office—alongside Rocky Mount and Pembroke—that LANC has been forced to close because of the funding freeze, further limiting access to justice for low-income North Carolinians who depend on in-person legal support, especially in rural areas. The Goldsboro closure will have a significant impact on residents of Wayne and surrounding counties, particularly veterans, seniors, and survivors of domestic violence. 

“For nearly a quarter-century, our Goldsboro office has been a lifeline for thousands of people seeking safety, stability, and justice,” said Ashley Campbell, CEO of Legal Aid of North Carolina. “The IOLTA freeze has created an unprecedented funding crisis that threatens access to justice across our state. This closure is heartbreaking, but without restored funding, we have no other choice.” 

Since opening in 2001, the Goldsboro office has served as a cornerstone of the community, helping residents navigate domestic violence protection orders, secure benefits, and rebuild their lives after disasters. 

“Losing our Goldsboro office is deeply painful for both our team and the community we’ve served for decades,” said Ayanda Meachem, Managing Attorney of LANC’s Goldsboro office. “Our clients come to us in moments of crisis. Having a local office matters—especially for those who don’t have reliable transportation or internet access.” 

Shelby Benton, a prominent lawyer in Goldsboro and owner of Benton Family Law, says, “Goldsboro is a special community, and Legal Aid has been an important part of it for many years. The attorneys and staff here have stood beside some of our most vulnerable citizens, including seniors and domestic violence victims and their children. Goldsboro is a small community, and there are not many lawyers. Without Legal Aid, folks will have an even harder time accessing the legal help they need.” 

“As a lawyer who has practiced in this community for almost 40 years, I know the importance of our citizens having access to competent legal counsel. It is even more critical for the poorest among us, especially when it comes to maintaining housing and protection from domestic violence. Having a local Legal Aid of North Carolina office here in Goldsboro has been vital to our ability to directly serve citizens in Wayne and surrounding counties. This closing is a significant loss for our community,” said LANC Board Member Glenn Barfield, a longtime local lawyer recently inducted into the N.C. Legal Hall of Fame, which honors those committed to a lifetime of general practice service.

LANC will continue to provide legal assistance to Goldsboro-area residents remotely through its statewide helpline and online intake system. Clients can call 1-866-219-5262 or visit www.legalaidnc.org for assistance. (Please note: The online application is temporarily unavailable while LANC updates its systems.) 

LANC remains committed to maintaining partnerships with local agencies and community groups in Wayne County and will continue to explore ways to return to the area once funding is restored. 

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Want to help us close the funding gap caused by the IOLTA freeze? Click here to make a difference.

Statement from Legal Aid of North Carolina on the Passing of Janet Ward Black

Legal Aid of North Carolina mourns the loss of our beloved former Board Vice Chair, mentor, and friend, Janet Ward Black, one of the most extraordinary champions of access to justice our state has ever known. Her passing leaves a profound void in our organization, our profession, and the communities she served with such grace, humility, and conviction.

Janet Ward’s life was a masterclass in servant leadership. She led with courage, compassion, and unwavering faith, always guided by the belief that justice is both a legal principle and a sacred calling. Her work was rooted in her faith’s call to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8–9). Through her leadership, she lived that charge every day.

As a member of our Board, Janet Ward brought not only her formidable intellect and experience but also her deep generosity of spirit. Her life’s mission was to make sure that every North Carolinian, regardless of circumstance, could stand equal before the law.

Her influence extended far beyond any single institution. As a past president of both the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, she changed the culture of our profession, creating the NCBA’s 4ALL program, which has helped hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians receive free legal help.

Janet Ward’s faith was not quiet. It was active, visible, and deeply generous. Under her leadership, Ward Black Law tithed ten percent of its gross revenue each year to nonprofit organizations across North Carolina and beyond, a rare and extraordinary testament to her belief that blessings are meant to be shared.

To our staff, Janet Ward was a trusted friend and mentor. To the clients we serve, she was an advocate they might never meet but whose vision and generosity ensured they had a voice. To our board and the broader legal community, she was a north star, a reminder that integrity and kindness are the truest measures of professionalism and leadership.

We will continue her work in her spirit, seeking justice, giving generously, and caring for our neighbors, just as she taught us. Her light will remain in the halls of our offices, in the hearts of those she inspired, and in every North Carolinian whose life is fairer, freer, and more hopeful because she walked among us.

May her memory be a blessing, and may we honor her legacy through our continued commitment to ensuring justice for all North Carolinians.

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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Want to help us close the funding gap caused by the IOLTA freeze? Click here to make a difference.

When Tropical Storm Helene tore through Avery County, Jamie lost far more than a house. In a single day, he lost the woman he loved, the partner he built his life with, and the place where they were raising their little boy. He was badly injured and grieving. Even simple tasks felt impossible.

In the middle of all that heartbreak, bills still came. Agencies still needed forms. Insurance companies still needed answers. Jamie was hurting, and he was expected to fight through mountains of paperwork while he and his son were trying to survive the unimaginable.

That is when Legal Aid of North Carolina stepped in.

We helped make sure someone could manage his affairs while he healed. We fought for him when FEMA said no and helped secure the funds he needed to rebuild a safe home for his son. We made sure he was protected from crushing debt by working with his mortgage company to forgive more than one hundred thousand dollars that he could not possibly pay.

Jamie was also fighting to receive life insurance benefits meant to help his family after his wife’s passing. He was denied again and again. With help from our attorneys and a dedicated volunteer, he finally received what his family was owed. That support allowed him to pay off debt and take a breath for the first time since the disaster.

Today, Jamie and his son are building their future in a new home, far from the place where they experienced so much loss. He still carries the weight of that day, but he also carries hope.

This is what access to justice looks like. It looks like standing with families when the worst moments of their lives happen. It looks like making sure no one in our state has to face tragedy alone.

Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) celebrated the opening of its new Raleigh office Monday evening with a ribbon cutting and community gathering at Beacon Point, a collaborative community hub in Southeast Raleigh.

The office, located at 1425 Promise Beacon Circle, Suite 201, will serve as a central hub for delivering civil legal services to residents of Wake and Johnston counties. The move expands LANC’s capacity to provide help to more individuals and families in crisis.

Funding from the City of Raleigh through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) helped make the project possible.

Former Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, who supported the effort to secure funding, praised LANC’s work during the ceremony.

“When Ashley told me they want to put legal services here, I thought…Talk about a lifesaver for people,” Baldwin said. “This whole community is about building people up, is about changing their lives, improving their lives, and I am so proud to be here today and so proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

The new office is part of Beacon Point, a development created to connect families with health care, financial services, small business resources and nonprofit programs near existing affordable housing, childcare and education options. The campus is expected to serve approximately 85,000 people annually and create about 90 permanent jobs. It is located along GoRaleigh transit routes and directly on the Walnut Creek Greenway to improve accessibility.

Ashley Campbell, CEO of Legal Aid of North Carolina, said the opening represents progress during a period of major statewide funding challenges affecting the civil legal aid sector.

“Our mission does not waver,” Campbell said. “We want spaces like this all across North Carolina, particularly in rural areas.  We need for IOLTA funding to be restored for civil legal aid so that we can invest financial resources in NC communities where there are not large municipal budgets like there are in Raleigh.  Every deserves fairness and access to our courts.”

Legal Aid of North Carolina is the state’s largest nonprofit law firm and serves all 100 counties.

Legal Aid of North Carolina has been in the news this week, and for good (or not so good) reason. A statewide freeze on one of our key funding sources, the North Carolina Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program, has sent shockwaves through the civil legal aid system and the communities we serve.

The freeze, passed as part of Senate Bill 429 (the Public Safety Act), halts IOLTA grants and removes more than $6.3 million in funding from Legal Aid of North Carolina. These dollars do not just support our work. They support people. Veterans seeking stability. Survivors of domestic violence finding safety. Seniors protecting their independence. Families recovering from disasters.

Recent coverage from WFAE, The Charlotte Observer, Law360 and The Rocky Mount Telegram highlights what is at stake. Rural communities are especially vulnerable, and we’re already seeing the effects. The closure of our Rocky Mount, Pembroke, and Goldsboro offices means thousands of North Carolinians in Edgecombe, Greene, Lenoir, Nash, Wayne, and Wilson counties will lose a nearby lifeline for critical legal help.

If a resolution does not come soon, more offices, mostly in rural communities, are at risk of closing.

We want to be clear: this is a difficult moment, but not a defining one.

Legal Aid of North Carolina was built for moments like this. For more than two decades, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with our neighbors in every county across the state, helping them find safety, stability, and justice when it mattered most. That commitment remains unshaken.

When one community is hurt, all of North Carolina feels it.

The freeze on IOLTA funding does not just affect Legal Aid. It affects our veterans trying to access earned benefits, our seniors facing abuse or exploitation, and survivors of violence who depend on protective orders to stay safe.

Even in the face of this challenge, North Carolina’s spirit of compassion and community is shining through. Foundations, partners, and supporters across the state are stepping forward to help bridge the gap and ensure our neighbors continue to have access to justice and hope.

As our CEO Ashley Campbell said, “We’re living out the values that make North Carolina strong.”

That strength comes from people like you, people who believe that fairness, dignity, and opportunity should not depend on income or ZIP code.

This moment is about more than funding. It is about protecting our neighbors and preserving the values that make our state stronger together.

We need people like you to speak up, spread the word, and support our work. Together, we can ensure that North Carolina hears the call for justice and that every community has access to the legal help they deserve.