Our Stories

Free Legal Hotline to Help Western North Carolinians Struggling During the COVID-19 Crisis

Several organizations are joining together to coordinate the WNC COVID Legal Hotline on Thursday, May 21^st from 8am to 2pm.  Through this hotline attorneys will offer free legal information and guidance to Western North Carolinians affected by the pandemic. The Buncombe County Bar, Pisgah Legal Services, Legal Aid of NC and the NC Bar Foundation are hosting event.

NC Free Legal Answers: Providing Remote Pro Bono Legal Service Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

The web-based NC Free Legal Answers pro bono program, offered by the North Carolina Bar Foundation, is an essential legal services tool during this time when the ability of clients and attorneys to meet together in person is limited by the COVID-19 pandemic.

If You Have A Legal Question, Ask NC Free Legal Answers

In these difficult times, it helps to know there is a free online resource available to answer legal questions, including those related to COVID-19. The program is called NC Free Legal Answers and it has been serving income-eligible North Carolinians since 2018.

4ALL Statewide Service Day Resounding Success

Volunteer attorneys answered 8,788 calls from call centers in Asheville, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh and Wilmington. A total of 422 volunteers participated in the annual event.

Why I Give: Nicolette Fulton

In this holiday season, we hope you will enjoy the testimonial from Nicolette Fulton, Associate City Attorney for the City of Raleigh.

NCBF Named Endowment Funds Dedication Event

The North Carolina Bar Foundation held its Winter Dedication ceremony on Thursday, December 5, at the N.C. Bar Center in Cary.

NC Free Legal Answers Cleared the Queue!

We did it! Volunteer attorneys across the state worked together throughout October – Pro Bono Month – to answer every single question in the NC Free Legal Answers queue.

North Carolina Bar Foundation Impact Report 2019

Annual report on the NC Bar Foundation’s pro bono and public service programs, Endowment and fundraising for fiscal year 2018-19.

Serving Those Who Serve Others: Wills for Heroes

NC LEAP and Prospera Partner for Charlotte-area Pro Bono Entrepreneurs Assistance Clinic

“Legal clinics like this are crucial for small business owners, especially immigrant business owners who are unfamiliar with how the system works here.” – José Alvarez, Vice President of Prospera-NC

When Attorneys Volunteer in the Classroom, Students Benefit

Constitutional Rights & Responsibilities Section program planners created a comprehensive curriculum for Section members to use when volunteering in the classroom. NCBF staff conducted outreach and coordinated schedules with teachers who were eager to supplement their own civics lessons with the knowledge of a practicing attorney.

Manning Fulton Hosts NCBF Wills For Heroes In Durham

Manning Fulton hosted a North Carolina Bar Foundation Wills for Heroes clinic on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Manning Fulton Hosts NCBF Wills For Heroes To Commemorate Durham’s Sesquicentennial

The magic number will be 150 on Saturday, Sept. 14, when the Durham office of Manning Fulton hosts a North Carolina Bar Foundation Wills for Heroes clinic.

Pro Bono Leaders Orientation Held At N.C. Bar Center

Pro bono chairs of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Sections, Divisions and Committees gathered Monday at the N.C. Bar Center for an orientation program meant to kick off the bar year’s pro bono efforts.

Platt D. Walker Society Welcomes 13 New Members

The North Carolina Bar Foundation (NCBF) is pleased to announce the Platt D. Walker Society Class of 2019.

NC LEAP Clinic Held In Asheville

Mountain BizWorks hosted an NC LEAP Ask-A-Lawyer Day clinic on Friday, Aug. 9, in Asheville.

Inaugural Disaster Legal Services Summit Held

The program brought together providers of legal services from across the state and beyond to review last year’s DLS efforts and prepare for the coming year.

New Foundation Board Members Elected

Six new at-large members of the North Carolina Bar Foundation Board of Directors were elected on Thursday, June 21, during the Board’s summer meeting in Asheville.

Donor “Thank You” Event at NCBA Annual Meeting

2018-2019 NCBF Annual Fund Closes In On $297K Goal

Foundation Celebrates Spring Dedication Ceremony

Youth Leadership Challenge Ignites and Inspires at Law Day

“What are the steps that need to be taken in order to increase civic engagement?”

Chantel Gillus, a Junior at Roanoke Valley Early College, asks that question in front of a captive audience at the Old Senate Chamber at the North Carolina State Capitol.  She would ask this question again later – standing in front of a group of 75 judges, attorneys, family members, and invited guests at the City Club in downtown Raleigh.

Pro Bono Spotlight: Kate McCullough

For attorneys working in business law who want to give back, it’s hard to think of a better opportunity than the NC Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Program (“NC LEAP”).

Juvenile Justice & Children’s Rights, Minorities In the Profession Host Racial Equity Institute Introductory Groundwater Training

The Juvenile Justice & Children’s Rights Section and the Minorities In the Profession Committee host Racial Equity Institute’s Introductory Groundwater Training program.

Law Day Honors Students, Former Chief Justice Martin

Students from across the state gathered in Raleigh on Friday, May 3, as the North Carolina Bar Association observed Law Day 2019.

LIFT: Law Institute for Teachers

The North Carolina Bar Foundation helped bring together more than a dozen teachers and attorneys in the mountains of western North Carolina to discuss education law topics and the North Carolina education system.

Sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association’s Education Law Section, Project LIFT (Law Institute for Teachers) helps teachers explore the responsibilities and rights of educators while examining and explaining laws that protect the rights of teachers, parents, students, administrators and school staff.

Members Share Glimpse Into Their Corner Of The World During Foundation Gathering

SLD Bruce Huggins attends Foundation Get-Together in Elizabethtown.

NCBF Wills for Heroes Pro Bono Program Brings Peace of Mind to NC First Responders

Pro Bono Spotlight: Chadwick McCullin

Chad’s volunteer work with Wills for Heroes began in 2010 when he volunteered at various clinics around the state.  He, along with other volunteers, would meet with first responders and their spouses, discuss their estate planning needs, and prepare the appropriate documents.  In 2016, he became a Young Lawyers Division co-chair of the project with Rebecca Rushton.

Pro Bono Volunteer Spotlight: Heather Culp

Veteran volunteer Heather Culp is no stranger to assisting her community through pro bono assistance.

Foundation Impact At A Glance: Statewide Impact

2017-18 statewide program impact by the numbers.

Pro Bono Volunteer Spotlight: Robin Stinson

While most attorneys’ provide legal advice on a daily basis, some go the extra mile and answer legal questions for people who cannot afford an attorney or consultation fees through programs such as NC Free Legal Answers.

Pro Bono Spotlight: Molly Gross

As we settle into our day-to-day work, it’s easy to feel like we don’t have anything to offer people who have lost basic needs like clothing and shelter. But what we forget is that many of our jobs, at their core, DO involve helping people clean up messes – and the knowledge and skills we’ve picked up along the way are probably more useful than we think.

Wills For Heroes “Hits For The Cycle”

The North Carolina Bar Foundation’s ambitious quest to host Wills for Heroes clinics at every North Carolina law school in a single bar year came to fruition on Saturday, March 16, when Campbell L

This is why the North Carolina Bar Foundation provides Wills for Heroes, and this is why they came: Derek and Brandi Morris with their daughter, Tatum.

4ALL: The Tradition Continues

The North Carolina Bar Foundation presented the 12th annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 1.

Wills for Heroes: Serving Those Who Serve Us All

Wills for Heroes, a pro bono program of the North Carolina Bar Foundation (NCBF), has been in existence in North Carolina for more than a decade.  Next Clinics March 9 (Duke Law) and March 16 (Campbell Law).

Wills For Heroes Warms The Heart, Serves The Greater Good At NCCU School Of Law

The North Carolina Bar Foundation presented an NCBF Wills for Heroes Clinic on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, hosted by North Carolina Central School of Law in Durham.

4ALL Statewide Service Day Scheduled Friday, March 1

The North Carolina Bar Foundation (NCBF) will present the 12th annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 1. Through this pro bono program, traditionally held on the first Friday in March, attorneys provide free legal information to citizens throughout the state from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Site Visits Let Members See the Impact of NCBF Endowment Funds ‘One child at a time.’

“One child at a time.”

That’s how staff at the Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina prefer to think about their work providing legal assistance to hundreds of children involved in high-conflict custody and domestic violence cases in Central North Carolina every year. CLC staff meticulously track the case outcomes in order to share impact data with their program funders, including the NC Bar Foundation Endowment.

The YLD: Brewing for the Greater Good

The NCBA Young Lawyers Division has long been a significant volunteer force behind all of the Foundation’s pro bono and public service programs and the YLD and NCBF are pleased to announce a new series of social events to benefit the North Carolina Bar Foundation. Brewing For the Greater Good socials bring together local area YLD and NCBA members – along with their families, friends and colleagues – for fun and philanthropy. Join us! 

ABA President Bob Carlson applauds NC Disaster Legal Services Efforts

American Bar Association President Bob Carlson visited the NC Bar Center on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018 to discuss North Carolina Disaster Legal Services (DLS) and ongoing efforts to assist victims of Hurricane Florence.

Introducing the Platt D. Walker Society Class of 2018

The North Carolina Bar Foundation (NCBF) is pleased to announce the Platt D. Walker Society Class of 2018. The Society, named in honor of the first president of the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA), recognizes members and friends who include the Foundation in their personal estate plans.

Foundation Impact At A Glance: Annual Fund Campaign

NCBF signature pro bono and public service programs are made possible through the support of the Annual Fund.

Foundation Impact At A Glance: NCBF Endowment

The NCBF Endowment provides grants to NC organization that advance the Foundation’s values of access to justice, volunteer service, civic education and professionalism.

Helpful Information for 2019 End-of-Year Contributions

Helpful information for making your 2019 end-of-year North Carolina Bar Foundation contribution.

A Power of Greater Good for the People of North Carolina

We envision a vibrant North Carolina where legal services are available to all, regardless of ability to pay; where members of the legal profession provide community service and leadership that profoundly impact the public, thereby demonstrating the value of our profession to society; and where all North Carolinians understand and have confidence in a legal system that serves them. This vision becomes a reality with your generous philanthropic support.

Hold a Pro Bono Clinic in Your Office with NC Free Legal Answers!

Find out how Womble Bond Dickinson partnered with NC Free Legal Answers to bring together a diverse group of their practicing attorneys for a pro bono experience right from the convenience of their Raleigh and RTP office locations.

L.P. Hornthal Jr. ‘Surprised’ by Justice Fund Honor

Friends and family of Attorney Tony Hornthal gathered in Manteo on Nov. 2 for a surprise announcement and plaque presentation of the L.P. Hornthal Jr. Justice Fund.  Hornthal has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his career, including service as the 102nd president of the North Carolina Bar Association.

Wills for Heroes Volunteers Provide Peace of Mind for First Responders

Through the Wills for Heroes program, volunteer attorneys honor first responders by preparing free wills, health care powers of attorney and general powers of attorney for North Carolina’s emergency services workers and their families, who put their lives on the line every day to protect the public.

Wade M. Smith Justice Fund Dedication: Honoring Service in the Pursuit of Justice

The North Carolina Bar Foundation dedicated the Wade M. Smith Justice Fund to Benefit Legal Aid of North Carolina on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the N.C. Bar Center in Cary. The fund will help the NCBF Endowment sustain and strengthen its support of civil legal services for low-income persons across the state through its Legal Aid of North Carolina Fund.

Supporting Children Of Law Enforcement: The Hubert B. Humphrey Justice Fund

For more than three decades, donors to the North Carolina Bar Foundation Endowment have empowered the Endowment to make grants that help change and improve the lives of North Carolinians.

Lawyers For Literacy: The Bar Foundation’s Fastest-Growing Civic Education Program

Through the Lawyers for Literacy civic education program, volunteer lawyers, paralegals and law students spend time reading to and with at-risk elementary school students. Over the course of four weeks, meeting together for a few hours a week, volunteers share their love of books, civics and U.S. history while helping children become better readers.

North Carolina Bar Foundation Launches Inaugural Leadership Gift Campaign

North Carolina Bar Association and Foundation leaders invited to bolster support for programs supported by the NCBF Annual Fund.

2018-19 Annual Fund Campaign Launches with Gratitude

Your gift to the NCBF supports public service and pro bono programs across North Carolina, including 4ALL State Service Day, Lawyers for Literacy, NC Free Legal Answers, NC Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Program (NC LEAP), Middle School Mock Trial and Wills for Heroes.

First-Time Donors Help the Annual Fund Support Communities Statewide

Tax Attorneys Serve the Military With Pro Bono Help

Your gift to the North Carolina Bar Foundation Endowment supports programs that empower attorneys to provide service in their communities, like the North Carolina Bar Association Tax Section’s Adopt-A-Base program.

Visionary Donor’s Gift Boosts the NCBF’s Support Of Legal Aid

The North Carolina Bar Foundation (NCBF) has received its largest gift ever as the result of planned gifts totaling nearly $1 million from the late Charles D. Dixon.

The Impact of Legal Feeding Frenzy

Your gift to the North Carolina Bar Foundation Endowment supports programs that empower attorneys to provide service in their communities, like YLD’s Legal Feeding Frenzy campaign.

NC Free Legal Answers: Pro Bono At Your Fingertips

Volunteers for NC Free Legal Answers can offer pro bono clients speedy access to the help they need, and they can do it on their schedules.

Answer the Call: 4ALL Volunteers Make a Difference

4ALL empowers attorneys to profoundly impact the lives of thousands of North Carolinians by lending an ear, answering questions, providing information and directing callers to much-needed legal resources.

Allan Head Left a Legacy Of Leadership

The North Carolina Bar Association fluorished under the guidance of long-time executive director Allan Head. Among his contributions was the founding of the North Carolina Bar Foundation Endowment.

A Sweet Idea In Need of a Legal Boost 

Steven’s Sweet Creations is a success story made possible by NC LEAP, your Foundation’s North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Program.

How Pro Bono Service Restored Victims’ ‘Faith In Humanity’ After Hurricane Matthew’s Devastation

Volunteer lawyers supported by the North Carolina Bar Foundation helped more than 300 people recover and return home in the wake of the 2016 storm.

Wills For Heroes: Volunteers Provide Security, Peace Of Mind For First Responders

Attorney Team Rallies To Help Domestic Violence Victims After Cuts To Legal Aid Budget

Lawyer-Turned-Teacher Says Mock Trial Competition Teaches Students To Think On Their Feet

The mock trial program helps students to become confident in themselves and their abilities. Students who participate in mock trial not only learn about the justice system but acquire important skills that help them succeed in and out of the classroom

Why Pro Bono?

During Pro Bono Week, the North Carolina Bar Foundation asked 160 new attorneys why they were willing to give their time and talents freely to help the underserved. Here are their answers.