Johnnie Larrie
Consumer Law and Economic Justice Initiative Project Director
“It takes great courage, unending humility, and professional patience to champion the rights of those who seek the benefits of just economic treatment. Nowhere is this more evident to me than in the work we do to ensure vulnerable North Carolina homeowners and homeowner communities remain protected. I came to Legal Aid over 20 years ago on the heels of Hurricane Floyd – when North Carolina homeowners down east were struggling to hold onto their homes and the equity they had amassed in those homes. The Economic Justice Initiative, known formerly as the Mortgage Foreclosure Project, was spearheaded in the wake of natural and resulting financial disasters to incubate advocacy frameworks that helped ensure homeownership preservation in socially vulnerable communities across North Carolina. The Economic Justice Initiative is over two decades strong and continues to work collaboratively with its legal services and other community partners to engage homeownership preservation and general consumer initiatives that help provide financial stability and economic security to vulnerable North Carolina populations.”
About
Dr. Johnnie C. Larrie is a “community lawyer” and community economic development specialist. With over 30 years of legal experience in consumer and community economic development initiatives, she has led a dynamic role in community development and civil legal initiatives that helped shape the lives of thousands of vulnerable homeowners in their communities. Dr. Larrie joined Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) in 2004 where she became the recipient of the Deborah Greenblatt Outstanding Legal Services Attorney Award (2021). Dr. Larrie serves as the consumer practice manager for LANC’s statewide consumer practice group and manages the Economic Justice Initiative (EJI), which initiative strives for financial stability and economic security for vulnerable North Carolina populations.
Dr. Larrie received her M.A. and PhD in Public Administration from North Carolina State University, focusing on J-12 Public Education Policy. She also received a J.D. from Boston University School of Law and her B.A. from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.
Dr. Larrie is working on four books – including a book of poetry titled “Sistah Lettahs” and a book about her experiences working in the legal services industry.