Our Team

Our dedicated staff members are the driving force behind our mission. Get to know the people behind Charleston Pro Bono below.

Alissa C. Lietzow

Chief Executive Officer

  • Alissa became Executive Director of Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services in January 2016. She is a 2007 magna cum laude graduate of the College of Charleston and a 2010 cum laude graduate of the Charleston School of Law.

    Prior to joining Pro Bono Legal Services, Alissa worked for the Stuckey Law Offices for ten years with a primary focus on civil rights litigation.

    While at the Charleston School of Law, whose motto is pro bono populi, she performed 145 hours of pro bono legal work and also implemented a Street Law program for students at a nearby Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, as a Past President for the Rotary Club of Charleston, she strives to exemplify Rotary's motto of "service above self" by giving back to the local community through numerous projects.

    Alissa is a 2015 graduate of the South Carolina Bar's Leadership Academy, which serves to provide high quality leadership education to members in order to enable them to become effective leaders in the community and to serve as role models in matters of ethics and professionalism. Currently, Alissa serves on the Executive Committee for the James L. Petigru Inn of Court, a prestigious legal organization designed to foster relationships among its members and the legal community. Membership is by invitation only and based on demonstrated leadership, professionalism, and public service.

    Bar Admissions: Supreme Court of the United States, 2014; Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2012; U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina, 2010; South Carolina State Court, 2010.

Audrey R. Brown

Senior Staff Attorney

  • Audrey Brown came to Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services in February 2020 following 7 years of private practice with her own law firm.  In addition to her role as Senior Staff Attorney, since Spring 2023 Audrey has taught the Charleston Pro Bono Family Law Clinic at Charleston School of Law. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Berea College, a Paralegal Certificate from Villanova University, and a Juris Doctor from George Mason University School of Law. Prior to law school, she worked as a paralegal in real estate closings, wills and trusts, and estate probate. As an attorney she has handled a variety of civil legal matters, focusing primarily on family law, simple estate planning, and estate probate cases. 

    In law school Audrey spent a summer working for Pro Bono Legal Services of Northern Virginia, and was the Intake Initiative Program Coordinator for the law school's pro bono intake program, where law students assisted Pro Bono Legal Services of Northern Virginia in conducting their client intakes. Throughout her attorney career Audrey has volunteered with various pro bono wills clinics offered by area organizations. 

    Audrey is a member of the Charleston County Bar Association, the South Carolina Women Lawyer's Association, and the South Carolina Bar Family Law Section.  She is cat mama to Leo, the CPBLS unofficial office cat. Outside of her office and cat responsibilities, she enjoys traveling, random local excursions, and taking up and abandoning a variety of hobbies.

    Bar Admissions: South Carolina State Court, 2012; U.S District Court, District of South Carolina, 2019; Maine State Court, 2019

  • Breanna joined the team in November 2024. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Kentucky and earned her Juris Doctor from the Charleston School of Law.

    During her time at Charleston School of Law, Breanna demonstrated strong leadership skills, serving as both Vice President and Secretary of the Student Bar Association (SBA). In these roles, she played a pivotal part in advancing the SBA's initiatives, fostering student engagement, and advocating for the interests of her peers.

    In addition to her SBA involvement, Breanna was the Secretary of Phi Delta Phi, an international legal honor society that promotes academic excellence and the professional growth of its members. She was also active in several other student organizations, including the Business Law Society, Women in Law, Fashion Law, and the Alliance for Equality.

    Outside of the office, Breanna enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and exploring new restaurants in Charleston.

    Admissions: South Carolina State Court, 2024.

Breanna M. Thomas

Equal Justice Works Housing Justice Fellow

Carly Ryerson

Legal Assistant

  • Carly officially joined the team in June of 2026 as a Family Law Legal Assistant, after volunteering in our office beginning in January 2026. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minors in Crime, Law, and Society and Geography from the College of Charleston in May 2026. She plans to attend law school in the near future.

    Her passion for equitable justice began during her time as a volunteer in our office which inspired her to complete her undergraduate senior capstone project on the gaps in social welfare policy for affordable housing. 

    Outside of the office, Carly enjoys going to the beach, reading, and spending time with friends, family, and her cat, Larry.

  • Cody joined us in June 2019 on a one-year grant as an Associate Attorney handling COVID-19-related cases in Charleston County. He stayed on after his initial grant year as a Staff Attorney handling housing-related civil legal needs. Since 2025, he has served as a Senior Staff Attorney, continuing his focus on housing-related matters. Cody has also served as an Adjunct Professor teaching a Housing Clinic at the Charleston School of Law since the Spring semester of 2022.

    He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctor from Charleston School of Law. 

    While in law school at the Charleston School of Law, Cody's major areas of study were property law and environmental law. As a participant of the Judicial Observation and Experience (JOE) Program he observed the Honorable Jan B. Bromell Holmes of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. 

    Cody is a member of the Charleston County Bar Association. In his free time, you can find Cody adventuring with his family or with his nose in a book.

Cody A. Tettemer

Senior Staff Attorney

  • Cyril joined Charleston Pro Bono in June of 2025. She earned a BA in Arts Management and German at the College of Charleston before graduating with a Master of Science in Accounting and Finance from Queen Margaret University.

    Before joining the team she was living in Edinburgh, Scotland and has previous development experience working in historic preservation and marine conservation.

    Before moving to Edinburgh she was an active member of the Charleston community and volunteered with local organizations including Lowcountry Food Bank, Flowertown Players, Children's Museum of the Lowcountry, and Enough Pie. She is delighted to return to Charleston and work with Charleston Pro Bono.

Cyril J. Langston

Director of Development

  • Elizabeth joined the team in October 2022 after over a decade as an English teacher. She taught 7th, 8th, and 12th grade at the Porter Gaud School as well as Academic Writing at the College of Charleston as an adjunct professor.

    She earned a BA in Political Science from the University of South Carolina and a Masters in English from the College of Charleston.

    In 2017, after reading the Post and Courier article "'Til Death do Us Part" about rampant domestic violence in South Carolina and the lack of resources available, Elizabeth founded the Undergarment Society. The organization provides new bras and underwear to girls and women escaping domestic violence, homelessness, and other unsafe conditions. To date, the organization has donated over 10,000 new undergarments and partnered with over a dozen nonprofits that serve the Lowcountry's most vulnerable.

    Elizabeth has also worked towards a more equitable South Carolina in her role as a Research and Special Projects coordinator for SC Women in Leadership by encouraging women to seek elected office. Isla and Julianne, Elizabeth's two daughters, inspire her to work for a more just society.

Elizabeth R. Stribling

Director of Education and
Outreach

  • Emma joined the team in February of 2026. She is a 2019 graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder and earned her J.D. in 2025 from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

    During law school, Emma participated in a Civil Litigation Clinic and completed internships in estate planning, criminal defense, and family law. She also served as Vice President of the Women's Legal Coalition, was a member of the Children's Legal Advocacy Group, and worked as a research assistant to her constitutional law professor.

    Emma is a member of the Charleston County Bar Association and the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, going to the beach, and spending time with her kitty, Lola.

Emma Hillary

Staff Attorney

  • Florence earned both her Master of Healthcare Administration and Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia State University. Her academic background and professional experience have been shaped by a deep passion for mental health advocacy and creating lasting change within underserved communities.

    Prior to joining our team, Florence spent several years working in the mental health field as a service provider. Through her experience, she developed a deeper understanding of how social determinants of health directly impact mental wellness within communities, further strengthening her passion for advocacy, support, and equitable care.

    Outside of work, Florence enjoys exploring new places, visiting coffee shops, and building community through fellowship gatherings.

Florence Harrison

Tenant Navigator

  • Kaelan officially joined Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services in August 2025 as a legal assistant before becoming a Staff Attorney upon passing the South Carolina Bar. She first came to us as an Ackerman Fellow in July 2024 and stayed on to be the 2024-2025 Westbrook Fellow as well as a Spring 2025 Family Law clinic student.

    She obtained her Juris Doctor from Charleston School of Law where she was an active member of the Children and Family Law Society, Women in Law, and the Vice President of the Survivor Advocacy Society. Additionally, she participated in the Street Law clinic where she spent one day a week teaching students at Burke High School criminal law and the importance of public interest in the community.

    Before law school, she graduated magna cum laude from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology. She focused her studies on Victimology and the sociological factors and societal impacts of victimization.

    In her free time, Kaelan can be found with her two cats. She enjoys reading, crafting, and walking through nature.

Kaelan Tunis

Staff Attorney

  • Karina joined the team in July of 2025 as a Housing Legal Assistant. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Law and Society from the University of South Carolina in December 2024.

    She plans to go to law school in the near future.

    Her passion for equitable justice has been facilitated by years of solo research on social issues impacting her community, and now she is excited to put her knowledge to good use in housing court.

    When she's not working, Karina is at home making art or playing video games.

Karina Cervantes

Legal Assistant

Mary C. Templeton

Staff Attorney

  • Mary joined the team in August 2022. She is a graduate of the College of Charleston with degrees in Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies. Mary earned her Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law. Prior to joining our team, Mary worked as an attorney on child abuse and neglect cases with the South Carolina Department of Social Services in Charleston County.

    Mary has been an adjunct professor at Charleston School of Law since Spring 2025 and has been teaching the Child Advocacy Clinic since Fall 2025.

    Mary is a member of the South Carolina Bar’s Young Lawyers Division, where she has been a co-chair of the Families Forever Committee, Community Outreach Committee, and Education Outreach Committee.

    In her spare time, Mary enjoys spending time at the beach, trying new restaurants, or spending time with her dogs.

    Admissions: South Carolina, 2021

  • Matilda Seay joined Charleston Pro Bono as a legal assistant in August 2026. Originally from Mount Pleasant, SC, she attended Queens University of Charlotte for undergrad, where she studied Communication and Spanish. Many of her undergraduate projects focused on housing and transportation equity. After graduation, she worked at the College of Charleston in their housing department, furthering her interest in the public sector. She received her master's in Public Administration from The College in May 2026.

    Outside of work, Matilda enjoys yoga, running, and trying new restaurants.

Matilda Seay

Legal Assistant

  • Noah Anderson joined Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services in 2026 as an Attorney on the housing team. He earned his JD from the Charleston School of Law in December 2025, graduating cum laude.

    Noah first connected with Charleston Pro Bono as a Housing Clinic Student, where he developed a commitment to public interest and housing law that brought him back to the organization. Before law school, he earned his Bachelor's Degree from Texas Tech University and a Master's Degree from the University of North Texas, where his research focused on American maritime history. It was Charleston's legacy of historical preservation that drew him to the Lowcountry for law school. Noah looks forward to advocating on behalf of the citizens of Charleston County.

Noah Anderson

Staff Attorney

  • Lily-Claire graduated from Mississippi College with a degree in International Studies in 2019. She obtained her Juris Doctor from Samford University Cumberland School of Law in May 2026.

    Prior to law school, Lily-Claire worked in Japan teaching English as a second language to elementary, middle, and junior high school students. While in law school, she participated in the Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic and Cumberland’s Veterans Clinic where she provided legal services for clients.

    In Lily-Claire’s free time she can be found relaxing with her two cats or out exploring nature. She enjoys knitting, hiking, and reading.

Lily-Claire Mann

Legal Assistant

Board of Directors

Gerald A. Kaynard, Esquire
Chairperson

Anne Frances Bleecker, Esquire
Vice-Chairperson

Matthew Kaynard, Esquire
Vice-Chairperson

Ms. Barbara V. Nelson
Secretary

Karl E. Novak, Esquire
Treasurer

Robert A. Bernstein, Esquire

Ms. Rosa Britt

Amber Daniels, Esquire

Hon. Daniel E. Martin, Jr.

Ms. Phyllis Martin

Amanda Tecklenburg, Esquire

Jeff Tibbals, Esquire

Ms. Joanna White

J. Howard Yates, Jr. Esquire