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By Kaitlyn Fudge, Co-Chair of the NCBA Pro Bono Recognition Subcommittee Home to Fort Liberty and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina has more veterans than most states. For the last five years, McGuireWoods, Wells Fargo, and Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (CCLA) have teamed up to serve this community through an estate planning pro bono clinic called “Wills for Warriors.” The…

By Sidney Thomas “There are a few reasons I commit to pro bono work. First, it can be a nice shift from the normal concerns over disputes about money. Second, if I can find a project that helps me grow my skills or better my understanding on a section of law, then it’s the best type of CLE. Third, it…

By Allison Constance Across North Carolina, family land is lost, and people struggle to obtain benefits because they do not have a clear or marketable title to the home passed down to them. Fortunately, the North Carolina Bar Foundation, the NCBA Real Property Section, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Pisgah Legal Services, and the Land Loss Prevention Project have partnered…

Collaboration lies at the heart of the most successful, sustainable pro bono programs. What do NCBF volunteer programs such as Wills for Heroes, Disaster Legal Services and Lawyers for Literacy have in common? They are successful initiatives born of the commitment of NCBA members with the support of Foundation programs staff, often in concert with schools and legal services organizations…

In 2022-23, 244 NC Free Legal Answer volunteer attorneys answered 2,283 questions from North Carolinians. North Carolina attorneys have been serving residents in need online since 2018, through the power of the ABA’s Free Legal Answers (FLA) platform. Here, virtual connections can be made at any time of the day or night. Those who financially qualify can have their civil…

For Nan Hannah, the decision was an easy one. Volunteering and giving back are at the heart of who she is. Nan’s generous spirit has fueled her personal and professional pursuits throughout her life, so pledging a legacy gift to the NCBF was a natural extension of that generosity. Let Your Life “Speak” To make a deferred gift is to…

The Open Door Fund was established to engage legal organizations, law firms, and individuals across the state in supporting the Open Door Fellowship Program. In June of 2022 the NCBF Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt an additional core value affirming the Foundation’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Less than a year later, an Open Door Fund was…

With degrees in chemical engineering, Jennifer Knight didn’t set out to be an attorney, but when she decided to go to law school after working for a large corporation, she knew she would be a patent attorney.  Now of counsel at Clements Bernard Walker, Jennifer feels strongly about the need to give back. “Securing my degree came with an obligation…

By Katherine Asaro, NCBA Pro Bono Committee Recognition Co-Chair “In general, I am a firm believer in “To whom much is given, much will be required.” I have been blessed with some skills and talents. Fortunately, I have been able to make a career using those skills and talents and I find it important to give back and be of…

By Samantha Gordon, NCBA Pro Bono Committee Member Grabowski Law firm has an obvious passion for pro bono work. Austin Grabowski graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of North Carolina then attended Campbell Law School of Law, where he excelled in leadership roles and his pro bono interest took off. When Austin graduated, he held a prestigious position clerking for Superior…