Tuesday, October 7, 2025 | Chapel Hill, NC
Vasiliki (Celia) Pistolis was presented with the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award on October 7, 2025, in Chapel Hill, NC during Legal Aid's Statewide Summit. The award was presented by former North Carolina State Bar Executive Director Alice Mine and former State Bar President John Silverstein. Ashley Campbell, CEO of Legal Aid of North Carolina, also participated in the presentation.
A native of North Carolina and a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Ms. Pistolis’s lifelong dedication to public interest law embodies the ideals celebrated by the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award. Her career stands as a praiseworthy example of civic leadership, integrity, professionalism, and mentorship, inspiring generations of attorneys to serve the community with excellence and compassion. Ms. Pistolis has devoted her career to advocating for low-income and underserved communities. Since the 1980s, she has served at Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC), beginning as a staff attorney focusing on consumer law and advancing to her current role as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, overseeing approximately 225 attorneys and directing litigation, appellate advocacy, and training programs. Under her leadership, LANC has handled critical civil cases, including high-stakes appellate matters establishing legal precedents in public housing, consumer law, and other areas impacting vulnerable families.
Beyond her work at LANC, Ms. Pistolis has been a mentor and educator to future generations of attorneys. She serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina Central University School of Law, shaping the professional development of countless law students. She has also chaired the Equal Justice Alliance, coordinating civil legal assistance statewide, and contributed to the NC State Bar's Authorized Practice Committee, Professional Vitality Committee, and Pro Bono Committee, promoting ethical standards, professional development, and access to justice.
Throughout her career, Ms. Pistolis has been recognized for her leadership and impact. She was named Outstanding Legal Services Attorney of the Year by the North Carolina Bar Association in 2001 and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UNC Law Alumni Association in 2012. In August 2025, she became the first legal services attorney inducted into the NCBA Legal Practice Hall of Fame, marking another milestone in her storied career.
Celia is described by colleagues as humble, gracious, and approachable, with a deeply personal belief in the power of law to change lives. Her leadership style is noted for combining strategic vision with hands-on mentorship, fostering inclusive and diverse environments, and encouraging public service among attorneys. She has inspired countless lawyers to follow careers dedicated to justice rather than profit, leaving a lasting legacy in the North Carolina legal community.
The John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award honors lawyers whose careers reflect the highest ideals of the legal profession, and Ms. Pistolis exemplifies these principles through her vision, service, and unwavering commitment to justice.
