LANC
- Smithfield Office
300 South Third Street, Suite A, Smithfield, NC 27577
919-934-5027; FAX: 919-934-4532
TO REQUEST LEGAL HELP, CALL: 1-866-219-5262 (toll free)
The legal staff of Legal Aid of North Carolina - Smithfield Office provides legal
assistance in civil matters to eligible, low-income clients who have
problems with their basic needs and live in the three-county area in
and around Smithfield, NC:
Harnett County,
Johnston County or
Sampson County.
Community Economic Development cases (cases where
groups who cannot afford a private attorney seek legal assistance
with their charitable or educational activities) will be
individually reviewed and accepted, if possible.
Legal Aid of North Carolina - Smithfield Office receives support from the
LANC-Raleigh office,
which serves Wake County.
Hours of Operation
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Monday-Friday)
In the News
Community Education Events
(Click
here to view other community education events that are sponsored
by legal services organizations in North Carolina.)
-
CHILD CUSTODY CLINIC (Family Law)
...This clinic provides attendees with general information
about
NC law regarding custody, visitation and mediation.
LANC staff also
explains and provides the forms necessary to
file a pro se (self-help)
custody action.
(Offered on third Tuesday of each month in Smithfield.)
Smithfield, NC, 10:00-11:30 AM
Location: LANC- Smithfield Office, 300-A South Third Street
Sponsor: Legal Aid of North Carolina-Smithfield Office
Contact: Jewette Williams, Smithfield Office,
919-934-5027 to reserve a space.
Contact Information
Legal Aid of North Carolina - Smithfield Office
MAP
300 South Third Street, Suite A, Smithfield, NC 27577
919-934-5027;
1-800-682-1016 (toll free; for clients & applicants only)
FAX: 919-934-4532
TO REQUEST LEGAL HELP, CALL: 1-866-219-5262 -
toll free
Staff
Takeisha Redd, Managing Attorney
David Baker, Staff Attorney
Verlyn Chesson Porte, Staff Attorney
B. Logan Roberts, Staff Attorney
Harry Langley, PAI Coordinator
Jewette Williams, Receptionist/Secretary
History
The Smithfield Office of Legal Aid of North Carolina has
been operating in Johnston County since November 1978, when the East
Central Community Legal Services opened a branch office in Smithfield
to provide free legal services to eligible residents of Johnston, Harnett
and Sampson Counties. With the aim of equalizing the stakes in access
to justice, Legal Aid focused on civil legal matters, such as landlord/tenant
disputes, custody/visitation issues, individual rights (wills, powers
of attorney), public benefits and consumer law concerns.
The first manager and the manager for twenty years was Leonard (Len)
Green. The only remaining staff member from the first staff is Ms. Jewette
Williams, who celebrated twenty-five years of service at our house warming
in March.
The first building for Legal Aid in Smithfield was the old school system
offices on Church Street. Legal Aid moved from that house in 2002 after
that office building was condemned, setting up temporary residence at
312 South Third Street. Now just a stone's throw away, the new offices
are at 300-A South Third at Spring Branch Corners, which is a modern
facility that will provide enhanced privacy and comfort for attorneys
and clients. Legal Aid currently shares their new quarters with a physician's
practice.
When Legal Aid began to serve area residents, most members of the private
bar were cooperative and then, as now facilitated in the primary goal
of Legal Aid: Access to Justice. As the first manager, Len Green to
the Smithfield Herald's editor, Wingate Lassiter, in 1978:
"We're not really in conflict. We're in concert - to
promote equal justice, which means equal access
to the courts."
In July 2002, the name of the Smithfield Office operation was changed
to "Legal Aid of North Carolina-Smithfield Office", following the consolidation
of legal aid programs in North Carolina into Legal Aid of North Carolina.
Smithfield Office continues to enjoy support from many members of the
private bar, both in Smithfield and in the other service areas. City
Pittard, Tom Berkau, the Mast Firm, Martin Tetreault, Kelly Daughtry,
Bob Spence, Jr...and many others have volunteered countless hours to
assist on a pro bono basis. Legal Aid of North Carolina also pays a reduced
fee to some attorneys to handle domestic law disputes. Because of these
collaborations, many Smithfield area residents, who otherwise would
have had to appear pro se (represent themselves), have been ably represented
by attorneys and to the benefit of all involved. The greater good has
been served by the selflessness of the many local attorneys and others
who understand the true spirit of justice and who are willing to facilitate
Legal Aid as it strives to further that end.
Although there have been recent moves and name changes/consolidations
for Legal Aid of North Carolina-Smithfield Office, the basic mission and areas of
service has remained consistent: to serve lower-income and elderly residents
in the area so that they may receive fair treatment and adequate representation
in the civil legal issues confronting them.
Disclaimer
The materials contained on this website are for information and educational
purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Please contact your
Legal Aid of North Carolina office or a private attorney if you need to speak to
an attorney regarding your particular situation. See our complete
disclaimer.
Mission Statement
Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that
provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in
order to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers
to economic opportunity.