These earliest files were administered by the North Carolina Legal Foundation, the branch of the ACLU of NC that handled all litigation and legal investigations. The records belong chiefly to Norman B. Smith, General Counsel (later known as Legal Director), mixed in with other early legal directors (who often served at the same time as Executive Director). In addition to case files, to which the majority belong or are related, there are also administrative files, correspondence, conference files, and files on programs such as summer internships. In original alphabetical arrangements, or in order as received. Subdivided into these groupings: General Files, 1971-1974; Cases Closed, 1968-1974; Requests for Assistance, 1968-1973; General Counsel Prisoners' Rights Project, 1974-1975; and Cases Closed, 1975-1980.