Overview of NC Legal Education Assistance Foundation 1989-2012

Equal access to justice is a cornerstone of our legal system. NC LEAF encourages attorneys to pursue careers in public service through law school loan repayment assistance. Rising law school debt and low salaries in public service positions present enormous impediments for law graduates committed to public interest careers. NC LEAF helps insure that skilled attorneys continue to aid the underserved citizens of our state by providing financial assistance towards relief for law school debt. Limited funding for NC LEAF is made possible by IOLTA, Legal Aid of NC, administrative fees from participating law schools, and donations from individuals and law firms. 

With the loss of NC Department of Justice  funding  as dictated by the General Assembly in 2011, NC LEAF no longer has  funds for new applicants. 

Current NC LEAF Loan Repayment Assistance Programs:

 

NC LEAF is the Designated State Agency for disbursement of the federally funded John R. Justice Loan Repayment Assistance Program designed to encourage qualified attorneys to choose careers as prosecutors and public defenders and continue in that service.

   

The federal funding has been continued for Year 2 at a greatly reduced level.  The grant requires equal distribution of assistance between prosecutors and public defenders. There is currently a waiting list for prosecutors and public defenders seeking loan repayment assistance.

 

Public interest attorneys working in Mecklenburg County, NC have assistance available through the generosity of the Spangler Foundation and the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation. All funds have currently been committed due to the high demand for assistance. 

 

NC LEAF is proud to administer the Legal Aid of North Carolina loan repayment assistance program for its employees.  This partnership has been in effect since 2007.