Leslie Manning
For over 47 years, Pisgah Legal Services, a nonprofit organization, has pursued justice by providing legal assistance and advocacy to help low-income people in Western North Carolina meet their basic needs and improve their lives.
With operations in 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary, Pisgah helped 25,842 people in 2024, including 5,522 who were escaping from domestic violence, of which 432 were in Macon and Jackson counties. Local offices are in the Peggy Crosby Center in Highlands and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Cashiers.
Hundreds of attorneys, volunteers, and staff provide pro bono legal advice while supporting everything from Children’s Law to Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention to Health Care and Income Security to Veterans Law and Justice for All (assisting immigrants).
There has been confusion among some people about Pisgah’s support for immigrants in this current climate. PLS can only help immigrants who are eligible for legal status but need assistance with the complex, bureaucratic application process.
“We are getting back to the basics of making sure our low-income neighbors, who often include much of our workforce, are able to have representation when they face a civil legal issue,” says Regional Development Officer Leslie Manning. “This involves everything from housing issues to domestic violence to veterans’ rights. We want to make sure all people have access to a free and fair trial and have an advocate along the way. We have added other key elements that help lift people out of poverty, such as helping people file their taxes and providing health insurance enrollment.”
On a local level, Highlands lost one of its best when William ‘Stell’ Huie passed away in November of last year. Stell was active in Legal Aid in Atlanta and saw the need for a similar organization in this area. He, along with others, worked to raise funds and raise awareness of the need for nonprofit legal services.
Of Stell’s impact, Leslie Manning said, “We recently created a Highlands Development Committee to help fill his very large shoes! That was one of his last requests, as he was keen on sustainability for our organization. He was generous with his time, his treasure, and his advocacy of our work.”
PLS is funded by federal and state grants and donations; however, due to shifting federal and state priorities, over $3 million in funding, nearly 25 percent of Pisgah Legal’s annual budget, is at risk. You can volunteer and provide your financial support by reaching out to pisgahlegal.org/give.
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