Charleston Legal Access names Lana Kleiman as New Executive Director
Kleiman brings deep experience in legal justice to nonprofit law firm serving low-income clients.
Charleston, SC—Lana Kleiman has been named executive director of Charleston Legal Access, a nonprofit law firm dedicated to expanding access to legal services and rights in South Carolina. She assumed the position effective April 1, 2019.
Kleiman is a Charleston resident who previously served as senior staff attorney in the Matrimonial & Family Law Unit at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), one of New York City’s leading non-profits providing legal services to low-income New Yorkers. Lana represented victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and trauma in Family and Supreme Court, as well as serving as the Coordinator of Project Eden, which works with the Orthodox Jewish community to raise awareness of domestic violence. Prior to joining the Family Law Unit, Lana was NYLAG’s Pro Bono Manager.
“CLA is fortunate to have a person of Lana’s caliber to lead it through its next phase. Lana’s commitment to expanding access to justice for marginalized persons will serve our clients and our mission well,” said Mavis Huger, board chair of Charleston Legal Access.
Kleiman started her legal career at DLA Piper, LLP. She received her law degree from Brooklyn Law School and her bachelor’s degree from New York University.
“I am honored to be joining CLA as its new Executive Director. I am excited by the opportunity to take the skills, knowledge and passion I have developed throughout my career in direct client services and apply them to my new role as executive director at CLA. I look forward to continue to grow CLA and ensure that more people in South Carolina receive high quality legal representation,” said Kleiman.
Kleiman is also an adjunct professor at Charleston School of Law. She is a partner with Social domestic abuse and their children.
“We're thrilled to have Lana lead CLA in its next chapter. She has extensive litigation experience, a deep commitment to our clients, and the leadership capacity to continue to grow and develop our work in South Carolina,” said Adair Ford Boroughs, CLA’s outgoing executive director.
Boroughs announced her campaign for U.S. Congress representing South Carolina’s 2nd district on April 3rd. CLA is unique from other nonprofit legal service providers in that it does not focus on free services. Instead, the organization is intentionally focused on bridging a clear gap in the justice system by serving those in the middle—clients whose limited incomes disqualify them from free legal services but who cannot afford private attorney rates CLA provides advice and counsel over the phone for free; in-depth, in-person consultations for a flat fee of $50; and full representation on a sliding scale. CLA’s hourly rates for attorneys are $50-$100 per hour depending on household size and income.
Currently, CLA serves clients in the Tri-county area (Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley Counties) but hopes to expand to other parts of the state in future years. Potential clients can have their case or matter evaluated for free by calling CLA’s office at 843-640-5980.
Read Lana’s bio here.