About the Lowcountry Legal VolunteersOften, to create access to something, you must clear a path and remove obstacles. At Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, that is the mindset we have when making sure everyone has access to quality legal representation. We are here to help our clients remove the obstacles in their paths and achieve the best possible outcomes.Many legal issues require an attorney's specialized legal knowledge and/or time helping represent you in court. Our goal is to make sure all families have access to these services regardless of their ability to pay, so that the doors of justice are open to all.Lowcountry Legal VolunteersLCLV_b90baf0c-233a-11ee-96cf-2dec2a83ea00Lowcountry Legal Volunteers ClientsFinancial eligibility for our services are based on the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines published by the Department of Health and Human Services, which are equivalent to 150% of the current federal poverty level and are based on your individual income and the number of members in your immediate household.Lowcountry Legal Volunteers TeamOur leadership, legal team and volunteers can point to years of demonstrated service - service punctuated by real success and the drive to deliver on our promise - equal access to justice. ^^ Our primary objective is to provide those without the means to afford adequate counsel with the chance to address and resolve their legal concerns as quickly and efficiently as possible with the best possible outcome.Anne Caywood, ESQExecutive Director ~ Anne is a graduate of the Wake Forest School of Law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she also she received her undergraduate degree from Western Carolina University. Prior to joining Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, she practiced law as a litigator and certified mediator in Raleigh, North Carolina and worked in private practice after moving to the Lowcountry with her family. Her passion for helping others who may not otherwise have access to the critical services Lowcountry Legal Volunteers provides comes from growing up in an economically challenged mountain region of Western North Carolina. A region where being able to afford quality legal representation as well as many other services is often considered a luxury for a vast majority of the population. ^^ She was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 2001 and the South Carolina Bar in 2013 and joined Lowcountry Legal Volunteers as the organization’s Executive Attorney in 2015 and became the Executive Director in 2021. Anne's active role in our community also includes her prior service at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Bluffton as a board member as well as a member of the Women in Philanthropy. Anne currently serves on the South Carolina Access to Justice Commission. ^^ Anne lives in Hilton Head with her husband, Scott, her son, Luke, and Lila, the family dog.Anne Marie Ugarte, ESQExecutive Attorney ~ Anne Marie Ugarte grew up in Hilton Head Island and went to high school in Savannah, Georgia. Ms. Ugarte graduated from Boston College and returned to South Carolina upon graduation to pursue a law degree. Anne Marie is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, Class of 1990. Anne Marie has devoted her law career to child protection advocacy. Anne Marie began her law career as the trial attorney for Richland County Guardian ad Litem Program which is now known as Richland County CASA. ^^ After leaving CASA, Anne Marie served as a DSS attorney for Richland and Kershaw County; and then was the managing DSS attorney for Colleton, Hampton and Allendale County. For six years, Ms. Ugarte was an Adjunct Professor with the University of South Carolina School of Law teaching the Child Protection Advocacy clinic to 3rd year law students. After moving to Beaufort County, Ms. Ugarte was a 608 contract attorney for the South Carolina Indigent Defense Commission representing Defendants in DSS actions in Beaufort, Hampton, Colleton and Allendale County. Anne Marie is excited to join the team at Low Country Legal Volunteers!Icela BowersBi-lingual Paralegal ~ Icela Bowers began working in family law in 2013 after graduating from the Technical College of the Lowcountry where she received an Associate’s degree in Applied Science from the Paralegal program. She plays a vital role in our organization overseeing our over 20 volunteers, handling all oral and written translations for our Spanish speaking clients and assisting our attorneys. ^^ Icela is a native to the Lowcountry and lives with her husband, Daniel Bowers, and their dog Sadie in Beaufort, SC. She enjoys all things the Lowcountry has to offer, but especially loves to spend time on the boat with her family.Sandy LomeliBilingual Legal Assistant ~ Sandy Lomeli moved to the Lowcountry in 2016. She has a BA in History from the University of Maryland University and worked as a clerk for the Superior Courts in San Diego, CA for over 10 years. She’s the newest bilingual member of our staff. She enjoys giving back to her community and helping others. ^^ As a military spouse who moved around a lot, she's really excited to call Bluffton her permanent home. She’s also a small business owner and co-owner of Bluffton Balloons. Spending time with her family is her most treasured pastime.Lowcountry Legal Volunteers Board of TrusteesStephen Meyer, Esq.Board ChairLuke Healy, Esq.Board Vice ChairMills Morrison, Esq.SecretaryEthan CoxTreasurerMary Anne Capria, Esq.League Creech, Esq.Morgan CrutchleyKelly Dean, Esq.Aimee Deverall, Esq.Janet GortonPaul Hamilton, Jr. Luke Healy, Esq.Holly Bounds JacksonCarolyn KasselConner Bradley Kincheloe, Esq.Michael KlaiberErinn McGuireStephen Meyer, Esq.Mills Morrison, Jr., Esq., SecretaryCaitlin C. Reid, Esq.Robert C. Rosenfeld, Esq.Juan SingletonJohn BorettiTRUSTEE EMERITIKeri Jordan Olivetti Esq.Founder | TRUSTEE EMERITILowcountry Legal Volunteers Lee AndersonRetired AttorneyMelissa ArnoldAttorneyChristopher BauerParalegalBeverly BaumanJohn BoadenChris GoodmanRetired AttorneyKen JohnsonRetired AttorneyTed KerrineRetired AttorneyJohn LangleyAttorneyClaudine McDonaldDonna McIntoshRetired AttorneyGordon MillerRetired JudgeBob RosenfeldRetired AttorneyGeri SalernoRetired Legal AssistantHelen ThompsonNanci StapleRetired AttorneyBlair StreitenbergerAttorneyLowcountry Legal Volunteers Financial SupportersOur 2022 Grantors ~ We are so grateful to our grantors who support our work of providing access to justice, hope, promise and opportunity to the people we serve.American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers FoundationBargain BoxBeaufort County Human Services AllianceBeaufort RotaryBelfair Charitable FundBerkeley Hall Charitable FundCity of HardeevilleCoastal Community Foundation (Beaufort Fund)Community Foundation of the LowcountryFriends of Callawassie IslandHampton Hall Charitable FundHargray Caring CoinsHeritage Classic FoundationJunior League of SavannahLong Cove Club Community Charitable FundMoss Creek Charitable FundPalmetto Dunes CaresPEARLS of Hampton CountySC Bar FoundationSC Ports AuthoritySouth State BankSt. Francis Thrift ShopSt. Luke's Anglican ChurchThe Church MouseTown of Hilton Head IslandTRUISTUnited Way of the LowcountryWexford Charitable FoundationWomen's Association of Hilton Head IslandThe doors of justice are open to all_b90bb02e-233a-11ee-96cf-2dec2a83ea00To provide those without the means to afford adequate counsel with the chance to address and resolve their legal concerns as quickly and efficiently as possible with the best possible outcome_b90bb114-233a-11ee-96cf-2dec2a83ea00JusticeFamily LawAssist with issues related to family law_b90bb236-233a-11ee-96cf-2dec2a83ea001FamiliesTwo of the most important ingredients in strong families are balance and stability. And when these are upset, you can count on us to help you through these difficult times by doing all we can to help you restore your family's foundation. ^^ We are here to assist families with the following: ^^ * Adopting a Child ^ * Child Support Modification ^ * Custody Matters ^ * Guardian Appointments for Children ^ * Registration of Out of State Child Support ^ * Securing Child Support ^ * Parental Visitation ^ * Divorce ^ * Clinics for Uncontested Divorce (with no minor children)_b90bb308-233a-11ee-96cf-2dec2a83ea00PlanningOffer advice and services to help clients prepared for the future_b90bb3da-233a-11ee-96cf-2dec2a83ea002Life & Future Planning ~ Being prepared for the future is something many of us don't think about until we find ourselves needing a little help. And, that is exactly what we are here for - to offer you advice and the services you need for where you are in your life. ^^ We are here to assist you with the following: ^^ * Creating a Durable Power of Attorney ^ * Creating a Health Care Power of Attorney ^ * Preparing Living Wills ^ * Probate ^ * Securing Guardianship/Conservatorships_b90bb4ac-233a-11ee-96cf-2dec2a83ea00Housing & CommerceOffer services for those needing help with housing and consumer matters_b90bb57e-233a-11ee-96cf-2dec2a83ea003Housing & Consumer Matters ~ Being able to provide stable housing and advocating for consumers, when needed, are essential to all families. That’s why we offer the following services for those needing a little help along the way. ^^ We provide assistance and representation for: ^^ * Evictions ^ * Select Landlord Tenant Matters ^ * Consumer Matters ^ * Lease Terminations ^ * Non-Refund of Security Deposits ^ * Improving Living Conditions’ Health and Safety Concerns_b90bb646-233a-11ee-96cf-2dec2a83ea002023-07-15https://lowcountrylegalvolunteers.org/about/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net