Charleston Legal Access is South Carolina’s FIRST and only nonprofit law firm offering fees based on income level.

As a non-profit law firm founded in 2016, our mission is to expand access to justice in South Carolina
by providing high-quality legal representation to moderate- to low-income individuals and families.

Our services include:

  • Advice and counsel sessions over the phone for free

  • 1-2 hours of in-depth, in-person consultations for a flat fee

  • Full legal representation on a sliding scale

Our sliding scale model provides legal assistance at low, accessible rates starting at $60 per hour as determined by income and family size. Learn more about qualifying for our legal services.

Three women standing in a courtroom behind a wooden podium, with American flags and windows with blinds in the background.
Two women standing and one woman sitting in a courtroom or office setting, engaged in a discussion.
A man with long dreadlocks and a beard, dressed in a white shirt and purple tie, standing next to a woman with blonde hair in a ponytail, wearing a black jacket over a red floral top. They are indoors in a room with a teal wall and a wooden counter, with official-looking signs and a seal on the wall behind them.

Attorney access, even very limited representation, changes outcomes for families. It can often preserve homes, income streams, and other assets that maintain financial stability and well-being in communities. However, when faced with a legal emergency, many individuals who do not qualify for free legal representation take the risk of going without an attorney, only to find themselves in worse financial and legal trouble and at risk of losing everything.

Charleston Legal Access’ vision is a South Carolina with access to high-quality legal representation for everyone contributing to a more fair and equitable justice system.​

Three women and one girl standing in a courtroom, with a judge in the background. The women are dressed in colorful dresses, and the girl is wearing a white jacket. The courtroom has wooden panels, American flag, and various electronic equipment on a table in the foreground.
A woman in a black blazer shaking hands with a woman in a yellow hoodie, while a young boy stands nearby in a room with wooden benches and framed pictures on the wall.
Two women are sitting at a wooden conference table in a room with a green chalkboard and a wooden wall. One woman with long blonde hair and glasses, wearing a white blazer, is smiling and talking. The other woman with long wavy blonde hair, tied back with a purple hair tie, is wearing a red and white striped shirt and listening.

CLA aims to bridge the gap for individuals and families who cannot afford private attorneys but earn too much to qualify for free legal aid.

  • You are eligible for Charleston Legal Access’ services if your income is between:
    -  $19,563 - $62,600 for an individual
    - $26,438  - $84,600 for a family of two
    -  $33,313 - $106,600for a family of three
    - $40,188  - $128,600 for a family of four

    If you do not qualify please look at these other resources located here. Connect with us if you have questions about if you qualify.

  • Elder

    Family

    Housing

    Property

    Victims' Rights

    If you have a civil case, connect with us. We do not handle any criminal cases.

  • We typically serve clients in Charleston County, Dorchester County, and Berkeley County for efficiency reasons. However, we may make exceptions to this rule if you can travel to the Tri-County area for meetings with your attorney and court hearings. Our office is located in North Charleston.

  • To take the first steps in seeing if our skilled attorneys can take your case, please contact us at 843-640-5980 ext. 4 or fill out our intake request form in English or Español. Se Habla Español.

    We will reach out to you to learn more about your case and get additional details.

    You are not alone, we are here to help.