The Adams and Reese Columbia office held its first ever “Pro Bono-thon” in conjunction with the South Carolina Bar and University of South Carolina School of Law on October 17 at the firm’s office. Using the SC Law Answers program, operated by the SC Bar, 12 attorneys and seven law students answered more than 65 legal questions in two hours.
The SC Law Answers program allows individuals in the state of South Carolina who meet certain eligibility requirements to receive free legal advice using an easy-to-use online program. The SC Bar pre-screens individuals for users who have household income less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level; do not have liquid assets exceeding $5,000 in value (including checking and savings account balances, as well as the value of any stocks or bonds); are not incarcerated; and do not request assistance with criminal law matters.
“Adams and Reese is proud to be the first law firm in the state of South Carolina to host a group pro bono blitz using the SC Law Answers program,” said Lyndey Zwing, Adams and Reese associate and coordinator of the volunteer pro bono program.
The pro bono-thon was promoted and was attended in conjunction with the firm-wide HUGS project for the month of October that is intended to raise awareness about breast cancer and provide support breast cancer patients and survivors.
The Adams and Reese employee volunteer program, HUGS (Hope, Understanding, Giving, and Support), was founded in 1988 and has since devoted financial resources and thousands of volunteer hours to offer assistance to those in need. Every year throughout Adams and Reese’s regional footprint, employees donate time, money and supplies to more than 200 community organizations in need.