2023 LAS Leadership Cabinet Brochure

2023 Leadership Cabinet

For 50 years, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands has pursued the mission of

EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL by providing free civil legal services to children, seniors, the disabled, and those struggling to make ends meet in 48 counties across Tennessee.

Who We Are Legal Aid Society was founded in 1968 to help vulnerable people seek equal justice under the law.

Specializing in civil cases that are critical to low-income individuals and families, Legal Aid Society helps to ensure that no one struggles alone against complicated government systems, individuals in a position of power who are taking advantage of them, and violent family members, simply because they could not afford a lawyer.

Legal Aid Society serves 48 counties across Middle Tennessee and all services are provided free to low-income clients, many of whom are victims of crime and/or abuse.

LEGAL AI D SOCI ETY' S MI SSI ON I S TO ENFORCE, ADVANCE AND DEFEND THE LEGAL RI GHTS OF LOW-I NCOME AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE I N ORDER TO OBTAI N FOR THEM THE BASI C NECESSI TI ES OF LI FE. LAS staff handle a broad range of civil cases that generally do not generate fees and could only be handled pro bono by the private bar.

2019 LAS cases by type

About the Equal Justice Campaign Each year Legal Aid Society solicits donations for its annual Campaign for Equal Justice. Donations are solicited from firms, in-house legal departments, individual attorneys throughout our 48-county service area, and the community at large.

We are extremely grateful for this generous support, however...We simply could not do the important work we do without the support of our Leadership Cabinet.

Who is the Leadership Cabinet?

Law-firms or in-house legal departments of four or more people (within Legal Aid Society’s service area) who contribute at least $400 per attorney within their firm are recognized as members of our Leadership Cabinet.

We are proud to partner with these organizations in a mutual commitment to provide equal access to justice for low-income people and seniors.

Benefits of joining the Leadership Cabinet RECOGNITION AS AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT IN PURSUING EQUAL JUSTICE ACROSS MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

First year members receive a plaque to honor their participation in the Leadership Cabinet.

Subsequent years, members receive a year sticker to place on the plaque.

Leadership Cabinet members receive a "spotlight" in donor communications and newsletters.

Members are honored in the printed program for the Nashville Bar Association's Law Day event, organizational press release and listed as foremost supporters in our Annual Report.

Managing attorney/company representative receive an invitation to Legal Aid Society events and Leadership Cabinet members are recognized as contributors to the community.

KNOWING THAT YOU ARE WORKING TO FULFILL YOUR ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS AS ATTORNEYS

Since 1988, the Leadership Cabinet has collectively donated $8 million, contributing to legal assistance for over 128,000 individuals.

By making a significant financial contribution to Legal Aid Society, you are fully participating in the life of the organization as encouraged by the American Bar Association's Rules of Professional Conduct.

CONVENIENCE OF AN EXTENDED PLEDGE PERIOD

Leadership Cabinet members receive early access to the Campaign for Equal Justice and have until December 31 of each year to pay the pledge, if needed.

Legal Aid Society 2022 Leadership Cabinet Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Bass, Berry & Sims PLC Berry & Tudor PC Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Cornelius & Collins,LLP Dodson, Parker, Behm & Capparella, PC Smith Wright Law Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin, PLLC Hagan Law Group, PLLC Hale and Hale, PLC Holton & Mayberry, P.C. John C. McLemore,PLLC Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge The Law Offices of John Day Leader Law PLC Manier & Herod, PLC Nashville Electric Service Ortale Kelley Pepper Law, PLC Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, PLC Tune, Entrekin & White, P.C. Waldron, Fann & Parsley Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis LLP Weatherly, McNally & Dixon PLC Taylor, Pigue, Marchetti & Blair,PLLC Wiseman Ashworth Law Group,PLC Lewis Thomason Littler Mendelson

Concierge service from Legal Aid Society to assist with any technical issues or concerns.

Polsinelli PC

Legal Aid Society at a Glance LEGAL AID SOCIETY'S SERVICE AREA

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS

Office Locations Clarksville Columbia

Cookeville Gallatin

Murfreesboro Nashville

Oak Ridge Tullahoma

"Civil legal aid relates to a broad array of social and economic topics and trends. This includes areas as diverse as housing and homelessness, domestic violence, consumer debt, access to health care, environmental policy, inequality, access to the justice system and more.

Every day, millions of Americans interact with the civil justice system. A veteran applies for benefits.

A homeowner deals with the bank or a mortgage servicer. A consumer is facing a debt collection. A renter fights an unlawful eviction. All of these are legal problems and lawyers work to make sure those protections are not violated."

-Voices for Justice

For more information about the Leadership Cabinet or to inquire about making a personal contribution to Legal Aid Society, contact Amia' Butler at 615.780.7125 or abutler@las.org.

Middle Tennessee Medical-Legal Partnership Since 2012, LAS staff and volunteer attorneys have provided on-site legal needs screenings, and consultations and direct legal representation of patients at the Shade Tree Clinic in matters including housing, domestic violence, public benefits, and immigration.

Low Income Tax Clinic (LITC) In the last 20 years, we have helped more than 5,000 clients receive almost $30 million in refunds or levy releases.

Tennessee Senior Law Alliance (TSLA) The TSLA and its partners work to ensure that Tennessee seniors across all 95 counties can live safely while aging in place with dignity.

Gilbert Family Fellows Since the fellowship was created in 2016 with funding from Harris Gilbert, the Gilbert attorneys have represented more than 60 children and secured significant outcomes including special education services, transfers to appropriate school settings, and reduction in suspensions and expulsions.