Harvesters of Hope announces the opening of the first law office in its initiative to provide access to justice to Alabama’s small towns and underserved communities. Harvesters of Hope is the non-profit created to facilitate the Alabama State Bar Association’s 2024-2025 initiative to eliminate “legal deserts” in Alabama. Launched by Alabama State Bar Association President Tom Perry, Harvesters of Hope aims to address the serious shortage of practicing lawyers in both rural and urban parts of Alabama.
With the opening of the Asherica Heard Law Office in downtown Marion, Alabama, the fruits of the yearlong planning of the initiative are now coming to Marion. Other legal offices will be opening in other communities in Alabama later this year.
Asherica Heard in opening her law office is proud to be returning to her hometown. “I am a proud native of Marion, Alabama, with deep family roots in the community – both my parents and grandparents are originally from Marion”. Asherica Heard interest in the law was first planted when she began her career In the Perry County Clerk’s Office under Mary Cosby Moore where Asherica worked as a court specialist. That was followed by a year working in the Wilcox County Clerk’s office. What followed next grew her commitment to make the law her lifelong work, that being when she became a Judicial Assistant under the guidance of Judge Robert D. Bryant in Marion, Alabama. “It was during my time working closely with Judge Bryant in the courtroom, that I felt truly inspired to pursue a career in law.”
Asherica Heard, with associate’s degrees from Wallace Community College Selma (WCCS) in both Science and Arts and her bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Corrections, decided to pursue her dream and enrolled in Birmingham School of Law. At Birmingham School of Law, Asherica endured her years of arduous study while at the same time continuing to work. With persistence and determination, Asherica graduated from law school in 2023.
“From the moment I began law school, I knew I wanted to return to Perry County and serve the community as an attorney. I’m grateful that I followed through on that promise to myself, and to the place that raised me.” That promise is today fulfilled with Asherica opening her law office in downtown Marion. Heard’s practice will be the first new private law office in Marion in decades, and she is the first female lawyer to ever hang a shingle to practice law in Perry County.
Marion is a great place to live with opportunities for work. Tom Perry, immediate past President of the Alabama State Bar Association says that “small towns like Marion are not “legal deserts” but are actually ‘Opportunity Zones’. “ Perry went on to say, “through our year of research and planning, the Alabama State Bar has concluded that many communities, like Marion, offer a great place to live, work, and raise a family.” Harvesters of Hope has identified approximately 40 counties which need additional lawyers. Tom Perry stated that “these communities need lawyers to handle a wide range of legal services. Participating lawyers will provide representation to their citizens in a wide range of legal issues – civil cases, criminal defense, landlord-tenant matters, real estate and property matters, wills and estate planning, representing estates, and other legal matters. Without the presence of lawyers, like Asherica Heard, there is a lack of adequate legal representation – undermining access to justice, reducing administration of justice, and resulting in economic inequities.”
Harvesters of Hope’s mission is to encourage and place lawyers in communities in need. The program also strives to provide those lawyers with economic models that demonstrate lawyers can make a good living in Alabama’s small towns; to provide the participating lawyers with mentoring from experience lawyers from around Alabama (more than 60 lawyers have agreed to serve as mentors); and to provide law practice management assistance from the Alabama State Bar Association’s Law Practice Management Program. Tom Perry stated that “with this program we hope to plant a new group of lawyers across Alabama – ensuring allow all citizens of this great State have access to justice and to preserve the administration of justice. Through Harvesters of Hope, the legal profession looks forward to joining with doctors, dentists, accountants, and other professions and businesses in renewing Alabama’s small towns.”
With the help of Alabama Civil Justice Foundation and Alabama Law Foundation providing grant money for implementation. Harvesters of Hope this past month has begun the fulfillment of the mission. Asherica Heard’s law office is the first of many planned for communities across the state. “Harvesting Hope has begun,” said Tom Perry.
Asherica Heard says that “Though some may see Marion as just a small town, I see it as a place full of opportunity, not only for professional growth, but also for meaningful community impact. My goal is to contribute however I can, not just through legal work, but in any way that allows me to give back and help others thrive.” Asherica represents what can be accomplished with hard work and determination. Harvesters of Hope is proud to have Asherica open her law office today”, said Tom Perry.
