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Pro Bono Week: Ask-A-Lawyer & Free Legal Clinics

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

As part of Pro Bono Week, the Court is highlighting the different bankruptcy-related public service programs sponsored by the Court. 


Ask-A-Lawyer 


The Court, in partnership with the South Carolina Bar, sponsors a bankruptcy-related Ask-A-Lawyer program, which consists of two monthly opportunities for the public to call and speak with a volunteer attorney on bankruptcy and other debt collection issues. The calls are transferred to the voluntary attorney’s office directly from the Bankruptcy Court during a designated two-hour period. The attorney may remain anonymous in the discussions with the caller. Malpractice insurance is provided at no cost to the volunteer attorney by the South Carolina Bar for the legal guidance provided during the call. 


In the past year, the Court has held 20 Ask-A Lawyer sessions with 12 volunteer attorneys assisting to answer questions. 


The Judges appreciate all the attorneys that assisted the program, and recognition goes to those attorneys, including (attorneys who have assisted with multiple sessions are also noted below): 


Ann Bell (3), Ray Lord (3), Christine Brimm (2), Wendi Freeman (2), Gretchen Holland (2), Daniel Stone (2), Barbara Barton, Michael Conrady, Jane Downey, Janet Haigler, Richard Steadman, and Chris Towery. 


The Court is seeking volunteers for the Ask-A-Lawyer program for the next six-month period. If interested, please contact Novetta Henton at Novetta_Henton@scb.uscourts.gov with a copy to Andrew Powell on behalf of Judge Waites at Andrew_Powell@scb.uscourts.gov. 


Free Legal Clinics 


The Court also sponsors monthly free legal clinics where an individual may discuss bankruptcy or debt related issues with a volunteer attorney for up to one hour. The clinics are conducted at a time and date agreed upon by the volunteer attorney and the individual, and are now held by telephone or, if preferred by the volunteer attorney, at the attorney’s office or the Court.   


Many of the attendees of the legal clinics are individuals who are considering filing a bankruptcy case, who are creditors, or who seek other general bankruptcy information. Consultations from the legal clinics have led to representation agreements between the volunteer attorney and the individual. 


The Judges appreciate all the attorneys that have assisted the clinics this past year, and recognition goes those attorneys, including (attorneys who have assisted with multiple clinics are also noted below):  


Jane Downey (3), the DeMott Law Firm (Russ DeMott and Kristina Pierce) (3), the Drose Law Firm (Ann Bell and Michael Drose) (3), Colleen Brunson (2), Connor Parker (2), Eric Reed (2), Lex Rogerson (2), Lauren Schumann (2), David Gaffney, Elizabeth Heilig, Sean Markham, and Reid Smith. 


If you are interest in volunteering for the free legal clinics, please contact Sharon Greene at Sharon_Greene@scb.uscourts.gov with a copy to Andrew Powell on behalf of Judge Waites at Andrew_Powell@scb.uscourts.gov.