NCBA Honors Wyrick Robbins for Western North Carolina Pro Bono Service

Press Releases

We're pleased to announce that the North Carolina Bar Association's Pro Bono Committee has selected the WNC Rural Small Business Free Legal Services Fall Break Trip to receive the 2026 NCBA Outstanding Collaborative/Group Pro Bono Service Award.

The award recognizes collaborative, creative, and impactful pro bono initiatives that expand access to legal services for low-income individuals and communities across North Carolina.

The award-winning initiative was coordinated by Wyrick Robbins, the UNC School of Law Pro Bono Program and Institute for Innovation, Southwestern Community College-Small Business Center, and NCGrowth at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. The collaborative effort brought law students, attorneys, and business support organizations together to provide no-cost legal guidance to rural entrepreneurs in western North Carolina.

During the clinic in Sylva, attorneys from Wyrick Robbins partnered with University of North Carolina School of Law students to provide pro bono legal services to small business owners navigating growth and recovery challenges in the region in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Student teams met directly with local entrepreneurs under attorney supervision to assess legal needs and provide tailored guidance on issues including business formation, contracts, intellectual property, and employment matters. Each participating business received individualized counsel and written guidance outlining next steps.

Participating Wyrick Robbins attorneys included Catherine Phillips, Qipeng Hu, Christopher Agoranos, Sarah Couillard, Devon White, and Claudia Perez. Ten UNC School of Law students took part in the clinic, gaining hands-on transactional experience while contributing to meaningful community-based legal service.

"This recognition reflects the collaboration across the firm and a shared commitment to expanding access to legal resources for small businesses in rural communities," said Wyrick Robbins attorney, Catherine Phillips. "Projects like this allow us to support entrepreneurs while also mentoring the next generation of attorneys."

The NCBA Outstanding Collaborative/Group Pro Bono Service Award is presented annually to organizations whose members have engaged in significant and notable pro bono legal services or have provided outstanding support for the delivery of pro bono legal assistance. The award highlights innovative approaches to increasing attorney participation in pro bono work statewide.

About Wyrick Robbins

Wyrick Robbins is a full-service law firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina, advising clients on financial and corporate transactions, commercial litigation, and other complex legal matters. The firm serves founders, investors, management teams, and individuals through a collaborative, entrepreneurial approach and is committed to expanding access to justice through pro bono service across North Carolina.