Lawyers As Volunteers

The Lawyers As Volunteers Advisory (LAVA) Panel strives to increase volunteerism within the Bar and coordinate among the various MCB committees, sections, divisions, the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation and collaborative legal organizations. 

The Panel also oversees the activities of three MCB committees: 

Collaborative Pro Bono, Nonprofits and Client Pro Bono, and Community Services.

Pro Bono Volunteer Enrollment Form

Collaborative Pro Bono Committee connects MCB members with pro bono opportunities in collaborative legal service organizations and special pro bono projects on an as-needed basis. 

MCB Collaborative Organizations:

Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC)

LANC focuses on housing law, domestic violence protective orders and some family law for domestic violence victims, housing law and unemployment insurance. LANC requires that all its clients earn less than 125% of the Federal Poverty level. MCB assists LANC with volunteer recruitment and training, and will take on short term special projects when there is a specific case type or client group that needs special attention.

Legal Service of Southern Piedmont (LSSP)

LSSP is Mecklenburg County's oldest nonprofit law firm. They handle a wide variety of case types including representation of the elderly, tax matters, consumer law, health care and public benefits, and some immigration cases. Clients of LSSP must make less than 200% of federal poverty guidelines. MCB assists LSSP with volunteer recruitment and training, and will take on short term special projects when there is a specific case type or client group that needs special attention.

Council for Childrens Rights (CFCR)

The CFCR represents children in high conflict custody cases through its Custody Advocate Program. Volunteer attorneys are needed to serve as Custody Advocates. There are also programs to assist children who are facing suspension and expulsion from CMS, ensuring that these children get due process at these disciplinary hearings. MCB assists the CFCR by managing a twice yearly recruitment drive among Bar members for the Custody Advocate Program.

26th Judicial District SelfServe Center (SSC)

The SSC has been open since 1999. They began by providing forms for simple divorce to litigants who are representing themselves (pro se). The SSC now offers scores of forms in English and Spanish, clinics, videos and research resources for pro se litigants. MCB worked with the center to establish the Attorney for the Day program, in which volunteer attorneys meet with pro se litigants to help them with custody, visitation and divorce cases.

Attorney for the Day Program with SelfServe Center

Volunteer attorneys take special CLE trainings and work shifts in the SelfServe Center. Pro Se litigants are able to make appointments to see the attorney for the day and have their pleadings reviewed before they go to court.  If you are interesting in participating in this program, please contact Heather Blackley at 704/375-8624 or hblackley@meckbar.org.

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