The annual Access to Justice Awards were presented to six outstanding legal community leaders this week as part of Equal Justice University in Murfreesboro. The awards recognized Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee, Judge Suzanne Bauknight, Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle, Allison Jones, Elizabeth Leiserson and Julie Yriat. Retiring Justice Lee received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the civil justice system. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Bauknight received the Janice M. Holder Access to Justice Award in recognition of her role in creating the statewide virtual debt relief clinic model. Chancellor Lyle and Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands (LAS) attorney Jones were both recognized with the B. Riney Green Access to Justice Award for their work in promoting successful inter-program cooperation across the state. Finally, LAS attorney Leiserson and Yriat, legal director at the Nashville Hispanic Bar Association, were recognized as New Advocates of the Year, both working with the Eviction Right to Counsel Project in Davidson County. Read more about the annual ATJ Awards on the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services website. The conference wrapped up today with a keynote address by Legal Services Corporation President Ron Flagg, who noted LSC's priority focus on innovation and technology to support legal services and better leverage pro bono initiatives.

Retiring Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee (right) received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the civil justice system. Pictured with Douglas Blaze (left) and TBA President Jim Barry (middle).
 

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Suzanne Bauknight (right) received the Janice M. Holder Access to Justice Award in recognition of her role in creating the statewide virtual debt relief clinic model. Former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Holder (left) was on hand to present the award.
 

Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Lyle (right) and Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands (LAS) attorney Allison Jones (left) were recognized with the B. Riney Green Access to Justice Award for their work in promoting successful inter-program cooperation across the state. Pictured with LAS Director DarKenya Waller (middle).
 

LAS attorney Elizabeth Leiserson and Julie Yriat, legal director at the Nashville Hispanic Bar Association, were recognized as New Advocates of the Year, both working with the Eviction Right to Counsel Project in Davidson County. Pictured above from left: Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell, Thursday luncheon sponsor Herman Hicks of First Horizon, LAS Director DarKenya Waller,  ATJ New Advocate award winners Julie Yriat and Elizabeth Leiserson, and Nashville Judge Ana Escobar.
 

Left: LSC President Ron Flagg delivers EJU's Closing Plenary on Friday.
Right: (From left) TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright, LSC President Ron Flagg, TBA ATJ Director Liz Slagle Todaro and TALS Executive Director Laura Brown.
 

The team from Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands won the McIver Cup for their victory in the first EJU Scavenger Hunt.
 

AOC Director of Access to Justice Anne-Louise Wirthlin addresses EJU's closing plenary.