In August 2021, the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center (NCPBRC) will partner with the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office and SelfServe Center, as well as the Charlotte DA’s and PD’s Offices, to offer advice regarding applicants’ eligibility for expunction relief under North Carolina law. Applicants will meet with a volunteer attorney to learn whether they are eligible or ineligible for relief.

This will be the fourth clinic of its kind. The previous three were held in October 2019, June 2020, and February 2021. For the first time, the project contemplates recruiting paralegal volunteers to review records and prepare petitions in advance of the clinic. Each petition should take about 15 minutes to prepare, and approximately 60 clients are expected to be eligible for relief. Virtual training will be provided by NCPBRC and partner staff.

These drafted petitions will be reviewed by a volunteer attorney, explained to the client during the clinic, and the clients will use them to file pro se for relief with the Mecklenburg County Clerk’s Office.

To volunteer, please register at this link by July 15, 2021.

Please email [email protected] and [email protected] with any questions.

Rachel Royal is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Freelance Paralegal and owner of Royal Touch Legal & Business Solutions, LLC. She has been a part-time contract paralegal with the Pro Bono Resource Center since January 2021. She holds an AAS in Paralegal Technology from Carteret Community College, where she graduated in 2017 as the Paralegal Technology Student of the Year. Rachel has experience in family law, insurance defense litigation, and municipal law. Throughout her legal career, she has volunteered for statewide pro bono projects, has been a group leader for a Legal Aid project, and has been involved in multiple committees with the Paralegal Division since 2015 as a student member. She is currently an Officer serving in the role of Secretary and is a Pro Bono Co-Chair for the Division. She lives in Wilmington, NC with her husband, two boys, and toy Australian shepherd.

July 9, 2021/by Paralegals