We are happy to share our Executive Director, Lana Kleiman’s remarks at our 8th Anniversary Celebration:
It's fantastic to see both familiar and new faces here tonight. And can you believe it's not only CLA's 8th Anniversary but also my 5th anniversary as Executive Director? I made it! I still remember my first time up here, introduced by Adair, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. Today, standing up here, I just feel pride. I couldn't be prouder of leading such an amazing team at CLA and all we’ve accomplished.
CLA was started to fill a gap in our justice system. To serve working-class folks who often are overlooked and underserved. These are the everyday people in our communities who live paycheck to paycheck, making sacrifices to make ends meet. You probably know some of these people. They are your child’s daycare teacher, your barista at your favorite coffee shop, or the receptionist at the doctor’s office. These are the individuals who fall within CLA’s income bracket.
“Although fully employed with essential jobs that keep our communities running, these individuals don’t earn enough to cover the rising costs of living, which leaves them vulnerable to falling into poverty with one single setback. ”
When they face legal challenges, they deserve quality and affordable legal services. That's where CLA steps in. By providing these services, we’re not just helping individuals with a legal matter - we are creating meaningful change in our community that has ripple effects.
We play a crucial role in preserving financial stability and averting poverty for our clients. Many find themselves embroiled in the legal system, not by choice, but by necessity. Yet, the solution comes with a hefty price tag. Our sliding scale fees, ranging between 50-100 per hour, which is 15 to 30% of market rates, ensure access to legal services without a financial burden.
By safeguarding our clients' financial assets, we prevent devastating losses. Take Kuhnelm's case, for instance. He was forced into litigation and faced losing his home and disrupting his family's life. Who knows if he would have been able to afford another home in this housing market, especially in this area? But with our assistance, he retained his status as a homeowner – that is a really big deal. Not only did we preserve his financial well-being but that of his children and grandchildren, helping his family build generational wealth.
We're instrumental in promoting fairness and equity within the legal system by ensuring accountability. Our efforts level the playing field, preventing exploitation. For instance, we've assisted subcontractors whose earnings were unlawfully withheld by contractors aiming to take advantage of immigrants. Additionally, we're helping an elderly woman facing foreclosure because her name wasn't on the mortgage of the home she shared with her husband for twenty years before he passed. The bank would not let her make a payment. This is a situation where legal representation is indispensable. I don’t know about you, but I would need to hire a lawyer to navigate the complexities of foreclosure and I have a law degree.
In family law, our impact extends far beyond custody agreements or divorces. We empower clients to make informed decisions about their future and that of their families. This not only reduces the likelihood of returning to court but also fosters safer and more stable homes, mitigating future social, health, and economic challenges. Ultimately, this reduces the burden on social services and makes our communities stronger and better.
While we have been building and growing thanks to your support our work is far from over.
“449,609 people in the Lowcountry qualify for our services. Demand for our services keeps growing, which is why we need your help. ”
To reach our goal, we need to raise $50,000 because we need to hire another lawyer to better serve our community, and we want to continue to grow and expand into new areas of law.
So, for the attorneys in the room, I challenge each of you to donate one billable hour. And for those of you lucky enough not to know what a billable hour is, the average billable hour in South Carolina is $250. So if everyone here donated one billable hour, we can reach our goal. So consider one billable hour in honor of all the hard-working individuals in our lives who live paycheck to paycheck so that in their hour of need, we are there to help them. Join me and the CLA team in creating a fairer and more equitable justice system that works for everyone!
I want to take a moment to acknowledge those who have been with us from the start, the same folks who continue to support and celebrate CLA year after year. People like Anne Kearse. We are so grateful to have Motley Rice as our presenting sponsor again this year. And people like David Pearlman and Steinberg Law Firm, Kenny Harrell and Joye Law Firm, and Nora Rogers and Nelson Mullins. Your Investment in CLA has fueled our growth and sustainability. Thank you to our specialty and bronze sponsors for making tonight possible and the Host Committee, who spent countless hours volunteering their time to make sure tonight was a great success. I want to thank my dedicated Board who always has my back and is constantly advancing the mission of CLA. And finally, thank you Rachael Hochberg, our new director of development. Tonight would truly not be possible without her.
Finally, I need to thank the incredibly talented and dedicated team at CLA, who work tirelessly on behalf of our clients to make sure that families in the Lowcountry receive positive outcomes. CLA staff please stand up and let’s give them a huge round of applause.
Thank you all for your support and let's make tonight a huge success!
About Charleston Legal Access
Charleston Legal Access is SC's first and only sliding-scale, nonprofit law firm. We provide affordable legal services at a price that those of moderate means can afford. Hourly rates are determined on an individual basis by a client's income and family size. Our initial screening and phone consultations with an attorney are completely free. In-person, 1-2 hour case consultations and limited assistance sessions are available for a flat fee of $50-$100. For more information please visit www.charlestonlegalaccess.org.
With client fees only making up 15% of our operational budget and a rise in demand for services, we are seeking like-minded partners to support our cause. Help us expand access to justice and legal representation by making a tax-deductible donation below.