Lowcountry Legal Volunteers marks 25 years of justice work
As Lowcountry Legal Volunteers (LCLV) enters its 25th year of service, the nonprofit is marking the milestone with gratitude, reflection and the launch of several new programs aimed at expanding access to justice in Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties.
In 2024 alone, the Bluffton-based organization closed more than 150 legal cases, hosted 27 outreach clinics and secured over $178,000 in child support payments for local families. According to Executive Director Anne Caywood, the total value of legal services provided this year exceeded $2.95 million, reaching more than 2,200 individuals and families.
“With a staff of just five, and a powerhouse team of retired attorneys, paralegals, administrative professionals and volunteers, we’ve helped ensure access to justice for those who need it most,” Caywood said in a recent update to supporters. “This work is only possible through the generous support of our donors, partners and volunteers.”
New and Expanding Programs
LCLV’s work now extends beyond traditional legal aid, with initiatives designed to meet the evolving needs of underserved residents across the Lowcountry. Among the organization’s newest and most notable programs:
Lowcountry Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP)
Launched in collaboration with South Carolina Legal Services, the MLP program embeds legal services into medical care, targeting vulnerable residents in Hampton County and beyond. Partner clinics include Bluffton Jasper Volunteers in Medicine, VIM Hilton Head Island and the Good Neighbor Medical Clinic. Support for the program comes from the Sisters of Charity Foundation and a Catalyst Grant from the Coastal Community Foundation.
Pro Bono Protection Program
In coordination with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Hopeful Horizons and SCCADVASA, this soon-to-launch initiative will assist survivors of domestic violence by connecting them quickly and safely with pro bono attorneys for protective orders. LCLV will manage intake and case support.
Justice Navigator Training
Through a partnership with Georgetown Law, LCLV is training trusted community leaders to recognize legal issues within their communities. The program emphasizes family law, immigration, heirs’ property and domestic violence.
Estate Planning for Veterans & Gullah Communities
Working alongside the Lowcountry Gullah Foundation, the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation and the Beaufort County Department of Veterans Affairs, LCLV is expanding access to estate planning resources. The effort aims to assist low-income veterans and members of the Gullah Geechee community with wills and related services.
Protecting Family Land
Thanks to a new grant from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry and the Federal Home Loan Bank—administered through South Atlantic Bank—LCLV is launching an education and legal assistance campaign to help families retain heirs’ property and preserve generational wealth.
Addressing Housing Instability
LCLV’s Housing Protection Program, first introduced in 2020, continues to assist families facing eviction or unsafe living conditions. As housing insecurity rises across the region, the program remains a cornerstone of the nonprofit’s mission.
For more information or to support Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, visit lowcountrylegalvolunteers.org or contact the office directly.
