We are so excited for CLA’s former executive director, Adair Boroughs, to be nominated by President Biden to serve as US Attorney for the District of South Carolina. It’s historic and speaks volumes that Present Biden nominated in this role a true public servant and a champion of expanding access to justice.
Adair Ford Boroughs served as Charleston Legal Access (CLA) executive director from 2017 - 2019.
CLA founder Sally Newman brought Adair on as executive director within one year of starting CLA. In a blog from 2017, Sally shared “I had a strong vision for this organization, but that vision wouldn't have gone far if it weren't for Adair. Since the beginning, she has been brainstorming, researching, hosting meetings, writing grants, creating budgets, and generally putting in the work that will take CLA from being a scrappy startup to a highly organized and effective resource, here to fight for our client's rights for years to come.”
While at CLA, Adair led the organization through many milestones, including preserving over $1 million in assets, growing the team from 1 attorney to a team of 4, and providing legal services to over 321 individuals, families, and microenterprises. Notable victories from her tenure at CLA include preserving the home of an elderly blind woman on the brink of foreclosure, recovering damages for a young couple with a newborn whose landlord refused to repair the air conditioner at the height of summer, obtaining an order of protection for a victim of domestic violence, recovering the cost of a lemon generator for a small food truck business, and obtaining guardianship for an adult son whose mother had dementia.
Adair passed the baton to current executive director Lana Kleiman in April of 2019 to run for U.S. Congress. Her parting words for CLA were '“CLA is unique from other nonprofit legal service providers in that it does not focus on free services. Instead, the organization is intentionally focused on bridging a clear gap in the justice system by serving those in the middle—clients whose limited incomes disqualify them from free legal services but who cannot afford private attorney rates.”
We are so proud of Adair and all she will accomplish in the future!
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Adair, please visit www.charlestonlegalaccess.org/donate and select ‘Yes’ when asked if you would like to notify Adair of your gift!
IN THE NEWS
President Biden Announces Five New Nominees to Serve as U.S. Attorneys | The White House
Former Charleston nonprofit director nominated as the next U.S. Attorney for SC | WCBD News 2
Boroughs picked to be the state’s next U.S. attorney | Charleston City Paper
Biden names nominee to serve as U.S. Attorney for South Carolina | Live 5 News
About Charleston Legal Access
Charleston Legal Access is SC's first and only sliding-scale, nonprofit law firm. We provide affordable legal services 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. For more information please visit www.charlestonlegalaccess.org.
With client fees only making up 15% of our operational budget 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.