Equal access to justice is a cornerstone of our legal system.
Since 1990, NC LEAF has empowered North Carolina lawyers to dedicate their careers to public service by easing the burden of law school debt through educational loan repayment assistance.
These attorneys serve on the front lines of justice—advocating for families, veterans, and communities that too often go without legal help. They choose service over salary despite carrying heavy student debt. NC LEAF makes it possible for them to follow their calling—and for North Carolinians to have access to the legal help they deserve.
Student debt is widely cited as a key obstacle to retaining assistant district attorneys and assistant public defenders.
A key component of NC LEAF is keeping well-trained attorneys in their jobs, which in turn helps the delivery of justice in the court system and ensures justice for the underrepresented citizens of our state.
Retention is an ongoing problem with attorneys forced to seek higher paying positions in private firms. Staffing shortages result in overworked attorneys handling unmanageable caseloads, potentially affecting public safety and the administration of justice.
