The Power of Access to Justice

If Alissa Lietzow of Charleston Pro Bono wanted you to know one thing about Charleston Pro
Bono, a local nonprofit with deep roots in the Lowcountry dating back nearly 60 years, it would
be this: they are the team providing free legal services that supports the work of many of the
other area nonprofits you know and love.

Charleston Pro Bono was founded in 1967 with a clear mission: to provide free civil legal
services to low-income residents of Charleston County, empowering people through legal aid,
representation, and education so they can access the protections and benefits of the justice
system. Their guiding belief is that access to justice—and helping people feel safe and secure,
free from legal barriers—builds stronger, more vibrant communities.

So what do they do? Charleston Pro Bono assists eligible Lowcountry neighbors with a wide
range of civil (read: not criminal) legal matters. They help with family law issues like divorce,
child custody, adoption, and name changes, as well as estate planning and probate matters such as wills and powers of attorney. They also do a tremendous amount of work in housing, particularly landlord-tenant disputes and eviction defense, often helping clients remain in their homes.

Because here’s the thing: a housed family is part of the community, contributing to the local
economy, paying taxes, and building a future. When families lose their housing, the ripple effects extend far beyond a single address. They may need emergency food and shelter, struggle to find or keep work, and experience the lasting trauma that housing instability can have on both parents and children. The work Charleston Pro Bono does to help people stay safely housed doesn’t just change individual lives—it strengthens the entire community.

Importantly, they also work in victims’ rights, serving survivors of human trafficking as they
rebuild their lives. We at Fig can’t think of a higher calling than helping someone reclaim their
safety, dignity, and future.

If you or someone you know could benefit from Charleston Pro Bono’s services, visit their
website to learn more about eligibility and the areas of law they cover. Sometimes the right legal guidance is all it takes to help someone move from uncertainty to stability—and that’s exactly the kind of difference Charleston Pro Bono has been making in our community for nearly six decades.

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