Halifax County welcomed three aspiring legal professionals this summer through its first paid legal internship program, offered in partnership with the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism’s Legal Oasis Fellowship.

The interns were Barrett Awere, Johnissia Eason, and Tahje Edwards.

From left, Weldon Town Administrator Montre Freeman, Intern Barrett Awere,Branch, Intern Johnissia Eason, and Attorney Gary Redding. Intern Tahje Edwards is not pictured.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Brenda Branch was pleased to welcome the fellows to Halifax County and provide them with an opportunity to experience the practice of law in a rural community. The program gave law students hands-on exposure to the legal profession while introducing them to the people, institutions, and legal needs of the community.

“Having these three law students spend the summer in Halifax County was a wonderful opportunity for them to experience the practice of law in a rural community and to see firsthand the difference attorneys can make in the lives of the people they serve,” said Judge Branch. “We were excited to welcome them to our community, introduce them to the many dedicated legal professionals who serve Halifax County, and hopefully inspire them to consider building their careers here.”

The Legal Oasis Fellowship was created by Chief Justice Paul Newby and the CJCP as part of ongoing efforts to address the shortage of attorneys in underserved areas of North Carolina. The CJCP generally defines a “legal desert” as a county with fewer than one practicing attorney for every 1,000 residents. 

Research conducted by the North Carolina State Bar and UNC School of Law indicates that 48 of North Carolina’s 100 counties currently meet that definition.

Through the fellowship, students are placed in communities where they can gain firsthand experience with rural legal practice and develop relationships with local judges, attorneys, court officials, and other community members. 

In Halifax County, the three fellows spent the summer working alongside members of the local legal community and learning about the wide range of legal services provided in the county.

In addition to gaining practical legal experience, the fellows had the opportunity to become immersed in Halifax County and develop a deeper understanding of the community they were serving. Organizers hope these experiences will encourage the fellows to consider returning to Halifax County or other rural communities to practice law after completing their legal education.