Guilford County Opens New Legal Support Center
Accessing the court system can be overwhelming, particularly for families and individuals navigating civil matters without the help of an attorney. Guilford County has taken a major step toward bridging that gap with the opening of the new Legal Support Center in High Point.
Located in the Guilford County Courthouse in High Point, the center provides the public with guidance and knowledge to help in understanding the legal process. It also serves as a vital resource where people can access legal documents and get answers to basic questions about court proceedings related to family law, housing disputes, and other common civil matters.
Shields Law’s Founder and Managing Partner, who also serves on CLC’s Board of Directors and a member of the Legal Support Center Advisory Board, Marcus Shields shares the value that the Center brings to the community, “The Guilford County Legal Support Center is important because it allows self-represented litigants an avenue to ensure they have access and assistance when filing their civil pleadings. It is a one-stop shop where they can find forms, receive guidance with how to file; and prevent errors with pleading which often delay them from having their opportunity to be heard in court.”
The Center is currently open Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with plans to launch a second location in Greensboro by early 2026.
Iris Sunshine, Executive Director of CLC and member of the Legal Support Center Advisory Board, noted the importance of this new service, “This resource is open to the entire community and provides free guidance to individuals navigating a complex and often confusing civil legal system. For many in our community who cannot afford to retain an attorney, the Center offers space, technology, forms, and reference materials to help them represent themselves and seek justice.”
For years, CLC has seen firsthand how difficult it can be for families to navigate the courts, particularly in custody and domestic violence cases. Sunshine and the rest of the CLC team worked alongside local partners to create a resource that would make the legal system more accessible and equitable.
This county resource would not have been possible without the leadership of former Chief District Court Judge Teresa Vincent. Her vision helped shape the foundation for the Legal Support Center, ensuring that it meets the needs of the community’s most vulnerable residents while reinforcing Guilford County’s commitment to access to justice for all.
The opening of the Guilford County Legal Support Center in High Point is just the beginning. Guilford County plans to expand the Center to include a physical presence in the Greensboro Courthouse, further strengthening access to justice across the county. Children’s Law Center is proud to support this vision and is exploring how a similar resource might be developed for residents of Forsyth County, where the need for guidance in family and housing law is just as great.
This milestone highlights what’s possible when community leaders, county officials, and advocates work together: a more accessible, just, and compassionate legal system that serves everyone.
At its core, CLC works within the legal system to improve outcomes for children, not only by representing the best interests of children in custody and domestic violence cases, but also by advocating for systemic changes that help make the courts more responsive, fair, and child centered. Through initiatives like the Legal Support Center, CLC demonstrates its commitment to both serving individual children and shaping a stronger legal framework that protects families across the community.