permanently in February 1998. Jason worked at Legal Aid for four and a half years, eventually becoming the managing attorney of the New Bern office. He handled a variety of cases while at Legal Aid, including domestic violence and family law, Social Security and Medicaid disability, Food Stamps and other public benefits, wills and estate planning, landlord-tenant disputes, unemployment claims and consumer law cases. At Legal Aid, Jason practiced in 10 counties in eastern North Carolina representing clients at all sorts of trials and administrative hearings. In 1999, Jason argued a case before the North Carolina Court of Appeals in Raleigh.