Jennifer M. Lechner is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission, a position she has held since 2008. Under her direction, the Commission assesses unmet legal needs, engages in statewide strategic planning, coordinates efforts between the legal aid organizations and other legal and non-legal organizations, manages resource development efforts, and works generally to expand civil access to justice.
Before moving to North Carolina, she founded and operated a Maine-based company focused on legal association management. She served as the first Executive Coordinator of the Justice Action Group, Maine’s access to justice entity, and as the first coordinator of a unified statewide fundraising campaign for all Maine legal aid providers.
Jennifer began her career as the legislative counsel to the Maine State Bar Association where she lobbied state and federal governments on behalf of Maine’s largest professional trade association. She has served as a consultant to many additional access to justice entities, legal aid organizations, bar associations, and political candidates, and is a frequent speaker at state and national conferences.
Jennifer is a graduate of Truman State University and Drake University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Maine and is a member of the American Bar Association, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, North Carolina Bar Association, and North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys.