Legal Aid of NC: IOLTA freeze forces closure of Rocky Mount office

Because of a statewide freeze on the state’s Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program, Legal Aid of North Carolina has closed its Rocky Mount office.

In a press release, the organization stated that the Rocky Mount office has long served families in Edgecombe, Greene, Lenoir, Nash, Wayne, and Wilson counties, “providing critical legal help to veterans, seniors, survivors of domestic violence, and families recovering from disasters.”

“The closure means thousands of North Carolinians in eastern North Carolina will lose access to legal protections that safeguard their homes, safety, and livelihood,” said Helen Headrick, Legal Aid’s chief communications officer.

Ashley Campbell, CEO of Legal Aid of North Carolina, said that we’re living out the values that make North Carolina strong when Legal Aid defends families, protects seniors and gives veterans a fair chance.

“In places like Rocky Mount, we have stood with people working hard to rebuild their lives after a loss—survivors of domestic violence seeking safety, veterans navigating the benefits they earned through service, seniors protecting their independence, and families recovering from disasters like Hurricane Helene,” Campbell said.

Campbell added that IOLTA funds are for making liberty and justice for all for every North Carolinian.

“We are deeply disappointed that we cannot use those funds to serve the people in Nash County who deserve fairness and protection under the law,” Campbell said.

According to the organization, it will lose approximately $6.3 million in IOLTA funding due to the freeze, which was passed as part of Senate Bill 429 (the Public Safety Act).

“In recent months, IOLTA funding has become caught up in broader political debates, but Legal Aid of North Carolina does not engage in political activity and remains solely focused on providing legal help to neighbors, veterans, seniors and families across the state,” the release states.

Ayanda Meachem, managing attorney for Legal Aid’s Wilson, Goldsboro, and Rocky Mount offices said that the closure represents the loss of a physical presence in a rural community in which the organization has been proud to serve.

“We remain committed to supporting Rocky Mount residents through remote services and partnerships with other organizations,” Meachem said.