October 4, 2024
North Carolina Supreme Court Extends Temporary Bar Membership to Lawyers Who Assist with Hurricane Helene Pro Bono Cases
Chief Justice Paul M. Newby of the Supreme Court of North Carolina has signed an Order approving a temporary amendment to Rule .0905 to allow out-of-state lawyers to register and immediately begin providing pro bono legal services to indigent victims of Hurricane Helene under the supervision of a legal services organization.
North Carolina has an unprecedented need for lawyers to help victims of the storm with the many legal problems that will occur going forward including landlord/tenant issues, consumer fraud, and most specifically FEMA applications.
Once a lawyer is registered, the North Carolina Bar will share the lawyer’s name and contact information with Legal Aid of NC and other non-profit agencies that are working on the legal aspects of disaster relief. They will contact the lawyer with pro bono service opportunities.
The temporary rule, expiring in January 2025, permits lawyers licensed in other states but not in North Carolina to register with the North Carolina State Bar (using the registration form provided below) and begin immediately providing pro bono legal services through a legal services organization to indigent residents of North Carolina who are victims of Helene without first obtaining approval from the State Bar Council.
Documents:
Registration Form
Hurricane Helene Pro Bono Order and Amendment to Rule .0905
North Carolina State Bar Petition