Outstanding Collaborative/Group Pro Bono Service Award: NCBA Young Lawyers Division
The NCBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) has played a foundational role in Disaster Legal Services (DLS) across North Carolina. In partnership with FEMA, Legal Aid of North Carolina, and the American Bar Association, the YLD led efforts to deliver legal aid to disaster survivors after federally declared emergencies. The YLD helped coordinate legal clinics, train volunteer attorneys, and ensure survivors could access help for housing, insurance disputes, and public benefits.
The program grew into a nationally recognized model under the leadership of Brooks Savage and Brad Piland, who served as statewide DLS coordinators. Their stewardship during events such as Tropical Storm Helene mobilized hundreds of attorneys across the state and established crucial relationships with emergency management. Under recent leadership, including YLD Chair Collins Saint, the division continued prioritizing access to justice, with the Pro Bono Committee working collaboratively to expand services and strengthen statewide disaster response infrastructure.