Posted in: Lawyers None, Pro Bono

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The 2018 National Celebration of Pro Bono focuses on disaster resiliency – a timely topic for South Carolinians. In our state, Gov. Henry McMaster recently proclaimed Oct. 21-27 Celebrate Pro Bono Week. 

Disaster survivors face countless legal issues—from insurance disputes, FEMA appeals, landlord tenant disputes, consumer fraud, health and education issues, and so much more.  Moreover, even before a disaster strikes, communities need legal assistance with disaster preparedness through business continuity planning, securing title documents, meeting insurance needs, and other assistance.

South Carolina lawyers continue to step in and step up to help with disaster resiliency efforts when natural disasters occur in our state, offering pro bono assistance to survivors or evacuees. Legal services organizations such as South Carolina Legal Services and South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, with the assistance of other lawyers, jump into action providing information and resources on their websites. 

The SC Bar has provided a hurricane relief resource page for the public and for attorneys who volunteer to assist Hurricane Florence survivors. 

There you can find information about the Disaster Legal Services hotline. Did you know the Young Lawyers Division works with the ABA’s Disaster Legal Services Program and FEMA to provide immediate temporary legal assistance to disaster survivors at no charge through a toll-free legal aid hotline following a natural disaster?  Approximately 130 members of the SC Bar have volunteered to answer questions coming in on the hotline in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. 

SC Free Legal Answers, operated in conjunction with ABA Free Legal Answers, provides access to advice and information about non-criminal legal matters for those who cannot afford it. While there are financial eligibility requirements, those have been relaxed for South Carolina residents who have disaster-related questions.  Are you looking for a way to give back during October? Sign up now, and you can answer questions via SC Free Legal Answers on your own schedule, even in the comfort of your own home! 

These are just a few ways South Carolina lawyers are assisting with disaster resiliency in our state.  We celebrate them today and every day!