Before
departing on our trip to Hickory, we conducted a training program to learn how
to draft forms in order to create a will, statutory power of attorney form,
medical power of attorney form, and a living will. Through an intensive, yet invigorating
process, we learned not only how to perform the required legal work, but also
how to build rapport with clients in order to be as compassionate and caring as
possible.
We arrived
in Morganton, NC on the morning of March 11th to begin our work with Legal Aid
of North Carolina. After a brief lecture in order to recap our prior training,
we divided into teams of two and began seeing clients under the supervision of
attorneys. We worked with clients primarily from the Morganton area, and many
were relieved to get their wills drafted. However, our work with such
individuals was not a mere legal transaction. Instead, many clients took time
to discuss their personal lives, and asked about our interests in the legal
field. Through such rapport and legal work, we were able to utilize our
education to provide a tangible benefit to members within that community.
Afterward, we retired to our hotel in nearby Hickory, NC, and ate a delicious
dinner at the local Mellow Mushroom.
The next
morning, we drove to Bethel Church in Hickory, and performed a full day of
legal service to local clients. As a Hickory native, this was a particularly
memorable experience for me, for it provided me the opportunity to perform
valuable legal service in the community in which I have spent my entire life.
With the assistance of Legal Aid, we drafted wills for many clients.
Personally, I was able to build a strong connection with several clients, and
enjoyed sharing memories with them of my childhood in the area. After
completing our work, we enjoyed an alumni dinner with a UNC law graduate, who
provided our group advice with our legal careers.
On our
last morning, we drove to Lenoir, NC, a city 20 miles to the north of Hickory.
We performed a morning session in which we drafted wills for clients local to
the Lenoir area. By drawing upon our experience from the past two days, we were
able to efficiently draft the requested documents and perform our legal
services to clients within the area. Upon completing our session with clients,
we discussed as a group what we learned from our trip. Personally, I was very
grateful for Legal Aid and UNC Pro Bono for allowing me to perform valuable
legal services to clients within my hometown.
After
finishing up our group session, we enjoyed one last delicious meal at a North
Carolina culinary staple: Cookout. We returned to Chapel Hill with significant
gratitude for the opportunity to help clients within the Hickory area, and are
eager to return in the near future.
Posted by Allison Standard Constance on Thu. March 28, 2019 9:07 AM
Categories:
General, Spring Break 2019