Laura Holland Named New Project Director of Fair Chance Criminal Justice Project

The NC Justice Center is honored to introduce Laura Holland as the new project director of the organization’s Fair Chance Criminal Justice Project.

Laura has been a staff attorney with the NC Justice Center since November 2018. She has been an indispensable part of our litigation and advocacy work, transforming the organization’s focus on policies and practices throughout the criminal justice system that ensure those exiting the system have pathways to integrate with their families and communities, as well as having a direct impact on thousands of North Carolinians’ lives. Laura helped develop and manage the driver’s license restoration arm of the Durham Expunction of Restoration Program (D.E.A.R) and ran the state’s first mass traffic debt program, eliminating debt for 14,000 tickets and directly assisting 11,000 people.

Motivated by a life goal to help end mass incarceration, Laura has worked tirelessly to dismantle the systems of oppression that have deeply impacted family, friends, and neighbors who were shut out of opportunity due to criminal records. In turn, Laura takes the lead from justice-involved people to advocate for the recognition of their rights, a crucial piece of the work. Her leadership, thoughtfulness, and passion have been and will continue to be tremendous assets to the NC Justice Center’s staff and mission.

A native of Salisbury, North Carolina, Laura is a graduate of Duke University and the North Carolina Central University School of Law. Prior to her time at the Justice Center, Laura worked with the Clean Slate/Criminal Justice Project at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice.

“The NC Justice Center could not be more fortunate to have Laura as the director of the Fair Chance Criminal Justice Project,” said Bill Rowe, Deputy Director of Advocacy. “She is smart, committed, passionate, and will be a great leader of the transformative work of the project.”