Charleston Legal Access is South Carolina’s first and only sliding-scale nonprofit law firm. Our mission is to expand access to legal services and rights in the Lowcountry.

We serve individuals with low and moderate incomes by providing quality legal representation at reduced fees, calculated on a sliding scale, and engage in projects to expand access to justice in South Carolina.

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 of $50 - $100 per hour which is determined by income and family size. Learn more about qualifying for our legal services.

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.

While our hybrid model is revenue-generating, which increases our sustainability, revenue from legal services only covers 15% of our operating budget. With a rise in demand for services, we are seeking like-minded partners to support and invest in our mission.

 

It's justice, not just us.

About

Charleston Legal Access is South Carolina’s first and only sliding-scale nonprofit law firm. We provide affordable legal services to those who do not qualify for free legal aid but cannot afford a private attorney. We believe wealth should not determine who has access to justice. Our rates range from $50-$100 based on income and household size. Services include advice and counsel, consultations, and full representation. We serve Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties.