MONROVIA, LIBERIA — November 23, 2025 — The Noble Second Floor (NSF) of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law (LAGSL) successfully hosted its Annual Charity Fundraising Dinner on Friday, November 21, 2025. The elegant evening drew high-level support from the Executive and Legislative branches of government in a unified commitment to enhancing legal education and access to justice in Liberia.
Honorable Richard Nagbe Koon, Speaker of the House of Representatives, served as the co-launcher and delivered a powerful keynote address, underscoring the critical role of the Legislature in national development.
Speaking on the theme, “The Role of the Legislature in Enhancing Access to Justice for All,” Speaker Koon emphasized that his attendance was essential, as the NSF’s work directly aligns with ensuring justice is dispensed fairly.
“My presence here is to allude to the fact that you have been working to ensure a perfect learning environment when it comes to understanding the law,” Speaker Koon stated, praising NSF’s sustained commitment. Reflecting on the group’s prior successes, he added, “The photos that I saw in your brochure showed me that you are trying to make the classrooms more conducive for a learning environment, which I applaud – it is important to have conducive learning environments.”
The Speaker characterized the NSF’s work as a reminder of elected officials’ duties: “The Noble Second Floor serves as a reminder to us that we owed it to our constituents – the citizens of Liberia — to ensure that the authority that is entrusted unto us through your votes is effectively used to serve your needs.”
To ensure the continuity and expansion of NSF’s goals, Speaker Koon announced a substantial contribution of US$10,000 dedicated to the implementation of the classroom modernization project, the public legal education program, and the proposed pro bono legal service initiative. He assured the organization of his continuous support, vowing to always “stand by” their efforts.
The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Honorable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr., also addressed the gathering. His special remarks, delivered by his Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, MacDonald Metzger, hailed the initiative and stressed the importance of NSF’s continued leadership, discipline, and commitment to service.
The Vice President lauded the group’s plan to renovate two additional classrooms and support the Access to Justice Program, efforts he said will significantly improve learning spaces, elevate academic standards, and extend legal assistance to vulnerable communities.
“For far too many of our citizens, especially the poor, the rural, and the marginalized, the road to justice remains long and uncertain,” the Vice President’s message noted. “Your commitment ensures that justice is not just a principle, but a practical reality. When we extend justice to the least among us, we strengthen the soul of our democracy.”
The message concluded by reassuring the Executive’s commitment to championing reforms and calling on alumni, partners, and friends of the Law School to support the initiative. VP Koung made a contribution of US$10,000 toward to projects.
Guest Speaker, Cllr. Lucia D. S. Gbala, Managing Partner at HPA, delivered an address on “Access to Justice for all, a foundation for national security, stability and prosperity.”
Cllr. Gbala applauded the student organization’s impact: “The Louis Arthur Grme School of Law has existed for decades and has raised some of the most prominent leaders of this society, some of whom are giving back by teaching, but most of us still need to give back. The Noble Second Floor, as a student organization, has been impactful with its intervention and has broadened its reach to contribute to general efforts toward enhancing access to justice, including legal awareness, scholarships for law students, and contributions towards conducive school facilities, tutorials, etc.”
The Noble Second Floor (NSF) is a distinguished student organization at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia. The organization’s mission extends beyond academic excellence to active civic engagement, focusing on practical initiatives that enhance the learning environment at the Law School and contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s justice sector. NSF is known for its successful classroom modernization projects, public legal education campaigns, and support for law students.
The Executive Pavilion was transformed into a beacon of elegance and commitment, successfully raising the necessary funds.
The success of the fundraising dinner was powered by the generosity of numerous individuals and institutions dedicated to justice and education. In addition to key financial support from the House Speaker and the Vice President, there were generous institutional pledges from SUNU Assurances and the International Bank Liberia Limited. (each contributing US$1,000 checks), and a substantial US$2,000 from Liberian Enterprise Development Finance Company.
Further crucial contributions were received from distinguished attendees, including Mr. James Wilfred, CBL Deputy Governor for Operations, Atty. Robert Pyne, and Cllr. Lucia Gbala (US$500), amongst others.
The evening’s contributions now guarantee that the organization can modernize two additional classrooms at LAGSL, sustain the Public Legal Education Radio Program, and establish a Legal Aid Clinic to provide pro bono services to indigents and pre-trial detainees.
