Charleston Legal Access celebrated its 6th anniversary on April 20, 2022, at the Gibbes Museum of Art. In attendance, we had many long-time supporters, new friends, judges, attorneys, and other leaders in the community passionate about our mission. Because of our supporters, we raised a total of $29,826 from our anniversary event. These gifts will allow us to keep our fees low for clients seeking our sliding-scale legal services. We are so grateful for the support from our community.
From the Executive Director
CLA was started six years ago by Sally Newman. She was a true visionary and a passionate advocate. She started CLA because she experienced first-hand what it meant to be without resources and access to legal representation. She saw a gap in services for people who don’t qualify for legal aid but cannot afford a private attorney. Her goal was to fill that void by providing affordable and quality legal representation to those who were priced out of the legal system. Now six years later, thanks to Sally’s vision, Adair’s leadership, and all of you, CLA is thriving and helping hundreds of individuals and families in our community get access to quality legal assistance.
CLA Executive Director Lana Kleiman with the 6th Anniversary presenting host Mike Ethridge from Ethridge Law Group
I remember when I first moved here from New York. I was introduced to Adair Boroughs, the Executive Director of CLA at the time. I remember thinking to myself, what a brilliant idea. In New York, I worked at legal aid as a family law attorney and I had to turn clients away all the time because they didn’t qualify for our free services because they made too much money. However, these same clients couldn’t afford a private attorney. It's a horrible feeling turning someone away when they are pleading with you to help them... So, when the opportunity arose to work at CLA, I jumped at the chance. I knew I wanted to be part of this innovative organization trying to bridge the justice gap in the Lowcountry. Now three years later, I am standing before all of you, proud and privileged to be running SC’s first and only sliding scale, nonprofit law firm.
Some of you may not realize that to qualify for free legal aid, a family of four must make less than $34,700.- that is 125% of the Federal Poverty Line.
Now, I want you all to take a second and imagine trying to live in Charleston and supporting a family of four on $35,000 a year.
That is $9,000 less than a livable wage in Charleston.
Ask yourself, could you do it?
Now imagine you are faced with a legal emergency.
You are being evicted because you fell behind on rent because your kid got sick and you had to take time off of work.
Or perhaps DSS dropped off your grandson at your door because his mother was arrested and now you need to seek custody of your grandson.
Where are you going to go for legal assistance if you don’t have disposable income?
Look around this room- it’s full of attorneys and if you are not an attorney, you may have hired an attorney before. Imagine being able to afford the services of a good attorney on 35K a year.
And that is why CLA exists - to ensure that anyone who needs an attorney can afford one at a cost that won’t make someone choose between legal help and putting food on the table.
We just saw an incredible video produced by the talented Fernando Soto at New Digital Press, highlighting the voices of CLA’s clients. These are two voices of so many who seek our assistance because they have nowhere else to turn to for help.
In Mr. Greene’s case, he tried to get guardianship for his mother but was unsuccessful because he did it on his own. So, he was referred to CLA by the probate court. Ms. Chambers had a private attorney at first but couldn’t afford him once the retainer ran out. The results for Mr. Greene and Ms. Chambers would have been quite different if it wasn’t for CLA’s assistance. Most people don’t consider legal services as a basic need like food or shelter, but when you are at risk of losing your home, or your kid is sick from living in unhealthy conditions due to mold in the home or you are at risk of losing custody of your child, it becomes a critical need that can help someone from losing everything.
Since opening our doors in 2016, CLA has assisted over 1,000 clients and put over 2.7 million dollars back into the pockets of our clients. Each year, the demand for our services continues to grow. In 2021, we saw a 124% increase in incoming calls seeking our services. CLA is no longer a little nonprofit that could but an integral part of the community. BUT our success to date is thanks to all of you. You took a chance on a small nonprofit, trying to make a difference in the community and it worked.
So I ask you to invest or reinvest in CLA. Help us serve more people like Mr. Greene and Ms. Chambers so they don’t have to face the system alone and risk losing everything. We can’t do it without you. Our low-cost fees only cover 15% of our operating budget. We rely on the generosity and support of our philanthropic community to help keep our fees low and affordable.
As members of the bar, we understand the importance of having an attorney when faced with a legal issue and the responsibility to help others. As Armand said, we had to earn the privilege of being an attorney, this privilege distinguishes us and enables us to do things for other people that they can’t do for themselves.
So, in the spirit of our sliding scale model, we ask you to give what you can the same way our clients pay what they can. Our goal tonight is 100% participation. Many of you are wearing ribbons that indicate your support for CLA. Thank you. I would love to see everyone in this room with a ribbon. Let’s come together as a community and ensure that anyone who needs an attorney can afford one. Donate now to make an impact.
-Lana Kleiman, CLA Executive Director
Thank you to the following event sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: Ethridge Law Group
Gold Sponsors: Anastopoulo Law Firm, American Express and Whelan Mellen & Norris, LLC
Silver Sponsors: Steinberg Law Firm, Walker Gressette Linton LLC, Mavis & Kelvin Huger, Nexsen Pruet, Clark Bolen Court Reporting, The Lanning Group, Burr & Forman, The Shealey Law Firm, and Butler Snow
Charleston Legal Access is Charleston's first nonprofit, sliding-scale law firm. We do not provide free legal services, but we will work at a price that those of moderate means can afford. Hourly rates are determined on an individual basis by a client's income and family size. Our initial screening and phone consultations with an attorney are completely free. In-person, 1-2 hour case consultations and limited assistance sessions are available for a flat fee of $50-$100.
With client fees only covering 15% of our operational expenses and a rise in demand for services, we are seeking like-minded partners to support our cause. Help us expand access to justice and legal representation by making a tax-deductible donation below.