Outstanding Collaborative/Group Pro Bono Service Award: Pisgah Legal Services
Pisgah Legal Services (PLS), based in Western North Carolina, provides free civil legal aid to low-income residents in the region. After Tropical Storm Helene devastated the mountain communities, PLS launched its Disaster Recovery Program to respond to urgent legal needs in areas often underserved. Staff and volunteers provided immediate legal help with FEMA appeals, housing issues, insurance disputes, and scams targeting survivors.
The Pro Bono Team at PLS coordinated more than 250 volunteer attorneys, including retired and out-of-state lawyers authorized to provide pro bono services, hosting clinics across the region to ensure accessibility. Julia Horrocks, Managing Attorney for the Pro Bono and Disaster Recovery Programs, and Katie Russell, Managing Director of Community Engagement, led these efforts with strategic oversight and local engagement. Max Gibbons, Pro Bono Services Program Director, contributed further by managing volunteer assignments and directly handling complex disaster-related litigation. Their collaboration with Legal Aid NC and the NC Bar Foundation helped increase capacity and extend their impact throughout the region.