GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) will close its Goldsboro office after 24 years due to the statewide freeze on Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) funding passed by the General Assembly in June. The freeze has resulted in a loss of roughly $6.3 million for LANC, forcing the organization to make difficult decisions that directly impact the communities it serves. This is the third office—alongside Rocky Mount and Pembroke—that LANC has been forced to close because of the funding freeze, further limiting access to justice for low-income North Carolinians who depend on in-person legal support, especially in rural areas. The Goldsboro closure will have a significant impact on residents of Wayne and surrounding counties, particularly veterans, seniors, and survivors of domestic violence.
“For nearly a quarter-century, our Goldsboro office has been a lifeline for thousands of people seeking safety, stability, and justice,” said Ashley Campbell, CEO of Legal Aid of North Carolina. “The IOLTA freeze has created an unprecedented funding crisis that threatens access to justice across our state. This closure is heartbreaking, but without restored funding, we have no other choice.”
Since opening in 2001, the Goldsboro office has served as a cornerstone of the community, helping residents navigate domestic violence protection orders, secure benefits, and rebuild their lives after disasters.
“Losing our Goldsboro office is deeply painful for both our team and the community we’ve served for decades,” said Ayanda Meachem, Managing Attorney of LANC’s Goldsboro office. “Our clients come to us in moments of crisis. Having a local office matters—especially for those who don’t have reliable transportation or internet access.”
Shelby Benton, a prominent lawyer in Goldsboro and owner of Benton Family Law, says, “Goldsboro is a special community, and Legal Aid has been an important part of it for many years. The attorneys and staff here have stood beside some of our most vulnerable citizens, including seniors and domestic violence victims and their children. Goldsboro is a small community, and there are not many lawyers. Without Legal Aid, folks will have an even harder time accessing the legal help they need.” “As a lawyer who has practiced in this community for almost 40 years, I know the importance of our citizens having access to competent legal counsel. It is even more critical for the poorest among us, especially when it comes to maintaining housing and protection from domestic violence. Having a local Legal Aid of North Carolina office here in Goldsboro has been vital to our ability to directly serve citizens in Wayne and surrounding
counties. This closing is a significant loss for our community,” said LANC Board Member Glenn Barfield, a longtime local lawyer recently inducted into the N.C. Legal Hall of Fame, which honors those committed to a lifetime of general practice service.
LANC will continue to provide legal assistance to Goldsboro-area residents remotely through its statewide helpline and online intake system. Clients can call 1-866-219-5262 or visit www.legalaidnc.org for assistance. (Please note: The online application is temporarily unavailable while LANC updates its systems.)
LANC remains committed to maintaining partnerships with local agencies and community groups in Wayne County and will continue to explore ways to return to the area once funding is restored.
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