Disaster Legal Services

The North Carolina Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division coordinates the North Carolina Disaster Legal Services (DLS) effort in partnership with the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC). The DLS pro bono program provides disaster-related resources and services to the public and attorneys with the support of the North Carolina Bar Foundation, the NC Pro Bono Resource Center, and the NCBA Paralegal Division.

The NC Disaster Legal Services pro bono program is working alongside, and in support of, Pisgah Legal Services in serving residents of Western North Carolina who have been affected by Tropical Storm Helene.

Upcoming in-person DLS Free Legal Clinics:

• Marshall (Madison County) | Mar. 14, 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
  • Madison County appointment sign up HERE
  • Madison County attorney volunteer registration HERE
  • Madison County community outreach flier HERE
• Burnsville (Yancey County) | Mar. 28, 1 PM – 7 PM |
  • Yancey County appointment sign up HERE 
  • Yancey County attorney volunteer registration HERE
  • Yancey County community outreach flier HERE

DLS pro bono attorney volunteers assist clients with filing FEMA claims and other basic legal services such as filling out forms, writing letters, and placing phone calls.

Volunteers provide:

• Basic counseling, advice and limited-scope representation;
• Extended representation; and/or
• Clinic-based brief advice and counseling (dates, times and places TBD).

Malpractice insurance coverage is provided to attorneys, paralegals and law students who volunteer through the DLS program. For more information, please email [email protected].

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