SC Bar

“Mark,” employed for an educational facility, requested leave to celebrate his faith’s religious holiday. His employer denied his request, stating staff was short and he was needed at work. Mark, averring that there was adequate staff to cover his projected absence, did not come to work on the holiday and was fired. Mark was denied unemployment benefits on the basis that he refused to do work assigned by his supervisor. As a Pro Bono Program volunteer, attorney Allen D. Smith took the case and represented Mark in the administrative hearing, which resulted in a partial reversal in Mark’s favor. Subsequently, Mr. Smith appealed to the Commission on Mark’s behalf, which resulted in a full reversal and full relief for his client.

“John,” a paraplegic who had lost both legs and the use of one hand, owed money to numerous finance companies, whose interest rates ranged from 63.79 to 91.99 percent. Although John was struggling to pay as much as he could on these loans, his creditors were still harassing and threatening him because he could not catch up on his payments. In fact, he was so strapped for money that he could afford to eat only every second or third day. Unfortunately, John did not have enough income to go through Consumer Credit Counseling, so he was sent by them to the South Carolina Centers for Equal Justice (legal services) for help. Legal services’ statewide intake program, Legal Aid Telephone Intake Service (LATIS), sent the case on to Pro Bono since the Chapter 7 bankruptcy John wanted is not within the legal services program priorities. Pro Bono contacted a local lawyer who immediately accepted the case and ultimately was able to get John relieved from the oppressive debt he owed.

“Mary,” a 23-year-old, unemployed, homeless mother with three children under the age of 9, was separated from her husband, who was threatening to take the children. Her only transportation was a 13-year-old van which was in the shop for repairs. Attorney David Guyton met Mary through his work with the Interfaith Hospitality Network and decided to take her case pro bono. In January 2004, Mr. Guyton obtained an Order for custody and child support for Mary. Through the efforts of several other people, Mary’s van was repaired and she obtained employment and rental housing for herself and her children. Thereafter, Mary’s landlord attempted to evict her after she complained to him that the home’s heating system was not working properly. Mr. Guyton filed a counterclaim against the landlord, a settlement was reached and the heating system repaired the next day. The day after the heating system was repaired, the area in which Mary lived received an incredible 16-inch snowfall. If the heating system had not been repaired, Mary would have been trapped in the home with three young children and no heat. Mary and her husband have now reconciled as Mary desires with all her heart to keep her family together. She has maintained employment, housing and childcare. Her self-esteem has improved 100%, and she has stated on many occasions that she never knew there were so many “good” people willing to help others in desperate need of assistance.

The Pro Bono Program is very proud of the work done by its volunteers. The volunteers represent the low income community and give a voice to those who do not have the power to speak for themselves. If you would like to share any of your successes as a pro bono volunteer, please click here to submit your story.