Greenwood, South Carolina
Sunshine and clouds mixed with today’s weather forecast predicting a high of 82°F and low of 64°F by the evening, as winds remain light and variable. While the community enjoys this pleasant weather, an important change is coming to the local legal landscape.
Big Changes at S.C. Legal Services: Greenwood Office to Close
S.C. Legal Services (SCLS), a nonprofit organization that provides civil legal aid to qualifying low-income residents, will be closing its office in Greenwood by the end of August. However, officials are committed to ensuring that local residents continue to receive the same vital services they have come to rely on over the years.
The difficult decision was shared by Executive Director Andrea Loney, who is making efforts to inform the area’s legal community and associated service providers about the upcoming closure. “This has been a very difficult decision,” Loney noted. “I want the community to understand that we will do whatever we need to do to continue providing services.”
Indeed, the organization has plans in place to maintain service continuity. SCLS has a toll-free number and an online intake process that people typically use to get help. For those in rural communities, the organization understands that accessing legal aid shouldn’t require a lengthy journey.
Funding and Future Plans
SCLS is funded through a combination of sources, including federally funded Legal Services Corp, the state Bar Foundation, local United Ways, state court filing fees, and other government funds. These sources enable the organization to offer free legal aid in a variety of civil matters for residents who meet certain income qualifications.
However, convincing young lawyers to volunteer their time in rural areas has become increasingly challenging. “The attorneys have cited seeking different social scenes or perceiving educational systems in these areas as less supportive for their children,” said Loney.
The Greenwood Connection
Greenwood’s SCLS office is especially close to Loney’s heart. She started her own legal career in this very office located at 316 W. Cambridge Ave. Over the years, the number of attorneys willing to take on SCLS work has significantly dwindled. “We have gone, for a number of years now, having mostly one attorney there,” Loney explained. Cases from Greenwood are currently being handled by attorneys from Greenville and Spartanburg.
To maintain a local presence, Loney and her staff are looking for a satellite office—shared office space with a local organization where traveling attorneys can meet clients in person. This approach aims to ensure that residents can still access the critical legal services they need without the Greenwood office.
Commitment to the Community
Loney’s dedication to the Greenwood community runs deep. When she began working as an attorney here, she was the only Black woman practicing law in the area, with only three women practicing overall. “I went to law school for the purpose of working for legal services,” she shared. “When we made the decision to close the Greenwood office, I knew I needed to be the one to do it because my heart and soul is in this community.”
Despite the closure, S.C. Legal Services remains committed to its mission of providing free civil legal aid to those in need. The organization will continue to explore ways to maintain its presence and efficacy in Greenwood and other rural communities.
As local residents adjust to this significant change, they can rest assured that S.C. Legal Services will still be a valuable resource for those needing legal assistance.
