Outstanding Collaborative/Group Pro Bono Service Award: Legal Aid of NC: Allison Constance and Alicia C. Edwards
Recognizing Allison Constance and Alicia C. Edwards from Legal Aid of North Carolina.
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. Legal Aid NC provides necessary legal advice and representation to clients in all 100 counties with legal issues related to domestic violence, housing, consumer protection, disaster relief, government benefits, healthcare, and more.
Because the need for civil legal services far outweighs the staff resources at Legal Aid NC, pro bono work is an essential part of meeting client needs. At Legal Aid NC, the Pro Bono team’s 13 staff members facilitate volunteer work ranging from brief phone advice to extended litigation, managing over 1200 cases in 2024. Following Tropical Storm Helene, the Legal Aid of North Carolina Pro Bono Team, Disaster Relief Project, Central Intake Unit, Asheville Office, Foothills Office, High Country Office, and Sylva Office worked together in collaboration with other NC Disaster Legal Services partners. In the NC Disaster Legal Services partnership, Legal Aid of North Carolina was responsible for managing the Helpline, providing intake services, providing legal services and referrals to eligible clients, managing the process to direct cases to the NCBA YLD, supporting in-person clinics, and assisting with training.