As February arrives, we enter a season celebrating the power of love. Love, both given and received, is paramount. At Charleston Legal Access (CLA), we believe in a love that goes beyond romance, inspiring actions for positive societal change. This love, akin to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision, intertwines with justice, correcting injustices.
“Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.” -MLK
In our choices—big or small—we act with empathy and kindness, sacrificing for the greater good. CLA stands for justice, fueled by unwavering commitment and supported by individuals like you. Your love has propelled our work over the past eight years, impacting countless lives, like Dan's, Heather's, and Robert's.
Because YOU acted with deliberate and impactful love, people you will probably never meet had access to exceptional legal representation. I imagine Dan, Heather, and Robert each moving through the world—not relieved of all of their problems—but feeling life’s burden differently because they know they can turn to CLA for help. And that is because of your love.
Your support of CLA ensures access to legal representation for those in need, fostering a community where everyone's rights are safeguarded.
As my six-year-old son was crafting Valentine’s Day hearts over the weekend, I asked him what love means. Without looking up from his glitter and glue, he explained: “Love is kind of that feeling you get when you are a part of something good for someone else. You know?”
In the words of a kindergartener, by choosing to support Charleston Legal Access, “you are a part of something good for someone else.” And that is justice at its best.
Julie is a trial lawyer and shareholder with Duffy & Young where she practices in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, and business litigation. She is an active member of the South Carolina Bar and the Charleston County Bar where she has focused her leadership work on connecting lawyers with public service opportunities. Additionally, Julie is a former member of the board of directors of Special Olympics South Carolina. Previously, Julie served as a law clerk for the Honorable John Cannon Few who was then the Chief Judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals. In 2017, Julie was named the Young Lawyer of the Year by the South Carolina Bar Association.
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.