By Amanda Owens

On March 17, 2022, the Paralegal Division will be hosting the next Driver’s License Restoration Project Virtual Clinic. This clinic will further the efforts of the Driver’s License Restoration Pro Bono Project, which launched in 2017, to address the crisis-level license suspension rate in North Carolina. I volunteered for the virtual clinic hosted by the NCBA Paralegal Division in May of 2021, after reading the May 5, 2021 blog post written by Paralegal Division Pro Bono Committee Co-Chair, Rachel Royal, in which she elaborates on the project and the driving forces behind it:

“As of April 2019, there were over 1,225,000 active license suspensions in the state of North Carolina related to unpaid traffic fines and failure to appear in court.[1] Even more disheartening is that poverty and systemic racism, rather than a willful refusal to appear in court or to pay fines, are the driving factors of a majority of these suspensions.

The statewide suspension rate of Black or African American drivers is four times higher than that of white, non-Hispanic drivers. This racial disparity is higher in some counties, both urban and rural.”

Being no stranger to the snowball effect that can take place when someone becomes involved in the judicial system, I jumped at the opportunity to participate. I wanted to help make tangible, meaningful progress for those impacted by the system driving such high numbers of license suspensions. It would soon become clear to me that this is not just a small effort to help some folks who had some bad luck or made a bad decision; it is a huge effort to effect change where systemic racism is evident. I recommend hopping over to Rachel’s previously mentioned post to learn more about the Driver’s License Restoration Pro Bono Project, and the impact it is making on North Carolinians. But first, here is how it impacted me.

It had been almost a decade since I completed my paralegal certificate program when I volunteered, but as I listened to Pro Bono Resource Center staff attorney, Leigh Wicclair, explain why the Driver’s License Restoration Pro Bono Project was launched, I was reminded of something my instructor told me on the first day of class. To paraphrase, he said to the group of fledgling legal professionals that if we wanted to do something to really help people, we should work for an attorney that handles traffic tickets. He said that would be the way to make the most positive impact on the most people. I also remember thinking, well . . . that’s not very romantic. If you are anything like I was then, you had a vision of rushing into a courtroom with some piece of evidence that would prove your client’s innocence or stop a family farm from being bulldozed. After about 3 months of being a paralegal, I realized that most of the game-changing work does not happen in a courtroom (and that courtrooms almost never have oak woodwork or dramatic lighting).

The reality of our profession, and the legal world in general, is that it is mostly procedural. It is about working within systems, filling out the right forms with the right words, and getting the most done with the resources available. Volunteering our skills and knowledge as paralegals creates a resource for those who need help navigating that world, and each one of us who volunteers increases an attorney’s ability to be a resource exponentially. I did not take my instructor’s advice from the first day of class, so I had no experience with the issue of license suspension, but after an hour of training, I was reviewing client records and drafting advice letters about how they could proceed toward getting their license restored. The supervising attorney was on hand to answer questions, and all of us were able to easily interact throughout the work session. The clinic was extremely well organized, efficient, enjoyable, and it was doing something to help.

I am a volunteer by nature. I believe in karma. I also like to do something different now and then to remind myself that good paralegals are quick learners, easy adapters, and produce results. This clinic checked all those boxes for me. You do not have to take my word for it. Here is what others had to say when asked about what motivated them to participate and what they took away from the experience:

“I formerly worked in the legal department of a large corporation where pro bono work was not only encouraged but where opportunities were offered to partner with local firms and where paralegals could really pitch in and make a difference. I changed jobs a few years ago and really missed the community interaction, and the feeling that I was contributing and doing needed work. When this opportunity came along, it was so great to be able to participate, and the topic was particularly meaningful because I have a family member whose license can be restored through this type of activity. I learned a lot and realized that a lot of people whose licenses are revoked just need someone who can help them with a second chance.

This was a GREAT program. I really felt like I helped people who might otherwise not have an advocate and also loved the fact that I got to meet new paralegals through this process and expand my network, in addition to doing worthwhile service. I would DEFINITELY do this again!” – Paralegal Volunteer

“I love volunteering and thought this would be an excellent opportunity. The clinic met my expectations. The organizers were well organized. The training was thorough and provided the information necessary to complete the assigned tasks. I would love to volunteer for this program in the future.” – Alice L. Johnson, NCCP

So, if you are interested in volunteering, register here for the March 17, 2022, virtual event. I will see you there!

***
The Paralegal Division Blog is managed by the Division’s Communications Committee. Via the blog, the Communications Committee provides information written by attorneys, paralegals, and other experts designed specifically for paralegals in the areas of substantive law, ethics, technology, paralegal practice advice, and more. If you are interested in signing up to submit a blog post on a future date, you can do so here. When you are ready to submit a blog post, you can do so by using this form.

You may also wish to participate in the Division by using our virtual suggestion box to submit suggestions/ideas to the Division Council, nominating a paralegal for Paralegal Spotlight, or completing the Paralegal Spotlight Questionnaire if you are nominating yourself. If you are interested in volunteering with the Communications Committee, please contact the Communications Committee Chair at [email protected]. If you are interested in joining other division committees, you can review a list of committees and sign up here.