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. These organizations partnered to provide pro bono legal services to victims in the wake of Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Greensboro-area tornadoes in 2017, Hurricanes Florence and Michael in 2018, and Tropical Storm Fred in 2021.

In September 2024, Tropical Storm Helene caused catastrophic flooding and widespread damage throughout Western North Carolina, leading to the loss of dozens of lives and the displacement of thousands of others. Through the DLS pro bono program, more than 1,600 volunteers provided legal support to nearly 400 survivors through nine in-person clinics and pro bono case referrals to volunteer attorneys.

Hurricane Florence: “Help is Coming”

Hurricane Florence: “The Nightmare that Won’t End”