PILLARS OF JUSTICE AWARDS

Julian Pierce, a Lumbee Indian, was the first Executive Director of Lumbee River Legal Services in Pembroke and spent his entire professional life as an attorney ensuring equal justice for all. In 1988, he resigned his position to run for a new judgeship. Before the election, he was murdered and the legal services community lost one of its best advocates.

According to former Executive Director of LSNC, Dick Taylor, “Julian’s life showed that aggressive advocacy on behalf of the poor can truly make a difference… Julian Pierce made the system work for poor people. Lumbee River Legal Services, which he founded, represents over 2,000 people a year in four counties, with problems bred by poverty– in disability determinations and food stamps eligibility cases, with creditors and landlords. His program also handled complex cases, such as McLean v. Maxton Housing Authority, in which the NC Supreme Court established the toughest standard in the nation for public housing evictions in rent cases. Julian Pierce brought people into the system. He spent years preparing a formal petition to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe, which he filed in December 1987. When successful, it will mean dignity for a tribe of people, along with millions of dollars in benefits to Lumbees, the true natives of Robeson County. Julian Pierce empowered people to break out of the cycle of poverty. He helped build the Robeson County Health Care Corporation, and he stabilized the outdoor drama about the Lumbees, which gave pride to his people. This award was created in Julian’s memory to recognize the outstanding advocacy for which he was known.”