Monday, September 30, 2024
The State Bar is compiling a list of legal resources for those in need of legal assistance in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene. If you would like your organization’s information posted on this page, or if any information is incorrect, please contact Peter Bolac.
Pro Bono Assistance
Supreme Court Allowing Non-NC Lawyers to Provide Pro Bono Services to Helene Victims
Today, October 1, 2024, the North Carolina Supreme Court approved the North Carolina State Bar’s temporary rule amendment allowing lawyers not licensed in North Carolina to immediately begin providing pro bono legal services to indigent victims of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene.
The State Bar petitioned the Supreme Court for this emergency rule to streamline the process by which out-of-state lawyers can provide pro bono services in North Carolina. In its petition for the emergency rule, the State Bar noted that, “there is not sufficient time to follow the prescribed procedural steps to amend the State Bar’s administrative rules and still provide the indigent legal services now, when they are desperately needed.” The temporary rule, expiring in January 2025, permits lawyers licensed in other states but not in North Carolina to register with the North Carolina State Bar (using the form provided below) and begin immediately providing pro bono legal services through a legal services organization to indigent residents of North Carolina who are victims of Helene without first obtaining approval from the State Bar Council.
The State Bar will provide your information to the NC Pro Bono Resource Center. The Pro Bono Resource Center will collaborate with various legal services organizations to determine where you might be able to help and will contact you directly. The State Bar is only involved with the registration process. All pro bono questions should be addressed to Sylvia Novinsky at the NC Pro Bono Resource Center.
North Carolina Disaster Legal Services/Legal Aid of North Carolina
The North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, FEMA, the American Bar Association, and Legal Aid of North Carolina are collaborating to provide immediate pro bono legal assistance to Tropical Storm Helene survivors through the NC Disaster Legal Services Program (DLS).
For assistance, call the LANC Disaster Legal Services Hotline at 1-866-219-5262.
Additional information, including self-help materials about replacing lost documents, insurance claims, and more, can be found on Legal Aid’s website.
NC attorneys are encouraged to share their time, expertise, and charitable support for the disaster recovery effort. Lawyers can volunteer to help: Disaster Legal Services Volunteer Sign-up
Donations to the DLS Fund will help move volunteer legal resources into affected areas to assist with issues including FEMA claims and appeals, habitability, school displacement, estate planning, and consumer protection. Please make a charitable donation to the NCBF Disaster Legal Services Fund.
Resources For Lawyers
Disaster Planning, Relief, and Recovery
- Risk Management and Disaster Relief Planning: Tips for Making the Survival of Your Law Practice More Likely (Journal, Spring 2018)
- The ABA Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness provides resources here.
- Lawyers Mutual Disaster Planning and Recovery Practice Guide.
Chief Justice Newby Issues Order for Certain Western North Carolina Counties Due to Tropical Storm Helene
Chief Justice Paul Newby has issued an amended order declaring under N.C.G.S. § 7A-39(b)(1) that catastrophic conditions resulting from severe weather and flooding exist or have existed in certain western North Carolina counties. The original order, issued 29 September 2024, is amended to add three additional counties: Cherokee, Graham, and Swain. Pursuant to statutory authority, he has therefore extended the time and periods of limitation for filing and for acts due to be done in these counties:
- Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.
See the order for full details.
Emotional and Mental Health Assistance
The NC Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) is available to assist lawyers, judges, and law students who have been affected by Tropical Storm Helene and who need assistance with stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse issues, or any other mental health concern. If you or a colleague needs assistance, please call our office at 919-719-9267. Your call, whether for yourself or with concern about a colleague, is totally confidential. Visit the LAP website for more information.
General Resources
Courthouse Closings
To view the latest county courthouse closings in North Carolina, as well as alternative locations, visit the NC Judicial Branch website.
Scams and Price Gouging
Information to help Tropical Storm Helene victims protect against disaster-related scams is available on the Attorney General’s website.
Support the North Carolina Disaster Legal Services Fund
To help support disaster legal services, please consider a donation to the NC Bar Foundation’s Disaster Legal Services Fund.
Donate to NC Disaster Relief Fund
Governor Roy Cooper is encouraging donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover from catastrophic damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene.
“There is a massive effort underway to get help to the people of Western North Carolina including state and federal relief but we know there will be additional needs,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “If you’re able to give, please consider a donation to help North Carolinians as they clean up and recover from Helene.”
To donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit nc.gov/donate.
Support Pisgah Legal Services
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, countless families are left vulnerable, facing urgent needs in securing housing, accessing benefits, and rebuilding their lives. Pisgah Legal will be there to provide critical, free legal support to those most affected. Your donation today will directly fund essential services for displaced and struggling community members, helping them navigate this crisis with dignity and hope. You can make a gift online here. Contact Ally at 828.210.3444 or ally@pisgahlegal.org to learn more about other ways to give.
Filed Under: General News
