Wake County Public Libraries and the Wake County Legal Support Center are bringing their successful Lawyers in Your Library program to Oberlin Regional Library on Saturday, Sept. 14. This is the third installment of this series, which provides free family law legal support and advice to residents who need it at locations across the county.
Lawyers in Your Library is an expansion of the Legal Support Center’s “Attorney of the Day” program, which assisted nearly 150 families with family law issues, such as custody, child support and divorce at the Wake County Courthouse in 2023. The collaboration with Wake County Public Libraries is an effort to make the program more accessible to people who may not be able to head to downtown Raleigh during the week.
The first Lawyers in Your Library program took place in March at East Regional Library in Knightdale. Volunteer attorneys provided 10 families with free legal consultation in three hours. The second program at Southeast Regional Library in Garner helped 25 people. Organizers look forward to building on the initiative’s success going forward and made the decision to expand the clinic from three to six attorneys in September after seeing its popularity among residents.
“We’re eager to continue expanding our Lawyers in Your Library program, which will provide even more Wake County families with access to legal guidance,” said Wake County Commissioner Matt Calabria. “These skilled legal professionals can help equip residents with the tools they need to handle complex family law matters with greater confidence.”
Sessions will take place from 9 a.m.–noon. Appointments are available (but not required) at wake.gov/LIL, with additional slots open for walk-ins.
- Saturday, Sept. 14: Oberlin Regional Library in Raleigh
- Saturday, Dec. 14: North Regional Library in Raleigh
How it Works
At each session of Lawyers in Your Library, attorneys will be available to provide free 30-minute consultations to clients on any issues related to family law — from child custody and support to alimony and adoption.
The pro bono attorneys will help advise, counsel, provide form documents and drafting suggestions, and more for many families who may not otherwise have access to legal advice as they navigate the complicated system. By helping them better understand the legal process, the service empowers residents to reach resolution in their cases more efficiently.
“While some people are capable of managing legal matters on their own, a consultation with an attorney can provide the critical guidance or insight needed to confidently navigate the courtroom effectively,” said Anh LyJordan, director of the Wake County Legal Support Center. “Our volunteer attorneys guide clients through understanding court processes, assist with drafting documents and review their materials to ensure they’re fully equipped to represent themselves in court without an attorney."
In 2023, more than 30 volunteers from local family law firms donated over 80 attorney hours to the Attorney of the Day program. Their continued commitment has made it possible for the Legal Support Center to staff the twice-a-month program through the end of 2024 at the courthouse, and to explore additional partnerships like “Lawyers in Your Library.” The Legal Support Center recently celebrated assisting its 10,000th visitor since it opened in January 2023.
“We’re thrilled to continue this successful partnership with the Wake County Legal Support Center, as it aligns perfectly with our mission to connect our community with valuable resources,” said Ann Burlingame Diab, deputy library director. “By hosting the Lawyers in Your Library program, we’re able to provide critical legal support right where people need it most – within the neighborhoods we serve.”
