In October, Tennessee lawyers are joining colleagues across the country to increase meaningful access to justice and commitment to pro bono work. Now in its 17th year, Tennessee’s statewide Celebrate Pro Bono Month initiative brings together legal services providers with bar associations, law schools, law firms and individual volunteers to offer free services to those unable to afford a lawyer. The month of October is an opportunity to focus attention on the significant need for pro bono services as well as a time to celebrate the outstanding work of those in the legal community who volunteer their services throughout the year. Events, including in-person and virtual opportunities to volunteer, will be promoted in TBA Today throughout the month. The American Bar Association's National Pro Bono Celebration will be held the week of Oct. 19, recognizing lawyers' roles in supporting communities through pro bono work. If you have information about an upcoming pro bono event, please share it with TBA at tbatoday@tnbar.org.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) will hold a clinic in Washington County on Saturday at Good Samaritan Ministries Inc., 100 North Roan St., Johnson City 37601. The event will provide free legal assistance to individuals in need, focusing on various legal issues. For more information, visit the LAET website.

The next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits is set for Sept. 18 in Nashville. The clinic, sponsored by the Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and Bradley, provides assistance with business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts, and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Prospective clients should register by Oct. 13. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division, Belmont University College of Law and Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services are joining forces to offer a wills clinic on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CDT at the Nashville Public Library's Southeast Branch, 5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy #201, Antioch 37013. Volunteer attorneys will prepare simple wills, powers of attorney and advanced health care directives for clients. If you are interested in participating, please email YLD District 9 Representative Ginny Blake.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) will hold its annual Pro Bono Celebration at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City on Sept. 26 at 11:30 a.m. EDT. The event will feature inspiring stories, recognition of pro bono heroes and remarks from Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Mary Wagner. The court also will recognize the current Attorneys for Justice at the event. Purchase tickets to attend on the LAET website.

The Knoxville Bar Association and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, in partnership with Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET), will hold a Debt Relief Clinic on Sept. 13 to provide pro bono legal services to income-eligible consumer debtors. The clinic will begin at 9 a.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. Judge Suzanne Bauknight will present a short overview of the bankruptcy system and then volunteer lawyers will conduct initial meetings with the clients to discuss their situations and options. Those interested in helping should register online. Clients seeking advice should call 865-637-0484.

The next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits is set for Sept. 18 in Nashville. The clinic, sponsored by the Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and Bradley, provides assistance with business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Prospective clients should register by Sept. 15. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Belmont University College of Law and the TBA Young Lawyers Division are looking for volunteer attorneys for a Tennessee Free Legal Answers Clinic on Aug. 25 from 5-7 p.m. CDT in Belmont's Randall & Sadie Baskin Center, 1901 15th Ave S, Nashville 37212. Volunteers will be partnered with three to four law students to research and answer questions posted on tn.freelegalanswers.org. Attorneys must have a Tennessee Free Legal Answers account to participate in this clinic. Interested volunteers should email their account information to Ginny.Blake@belmont.edu by Aug. 21 to make sure their profile is approved in time for the clinic.

The next legal clinic for veterans in Knoxville will take place Aug. 13 from 12-2 p.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. This is a general advice clinic sponsored by the Knoxville Bar Association, KBA Barristers, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, the University of Tennessee College of Law, the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office and the local Veterans Affairs office. Attorneys and law students are needed for the in-person clinic. Attorneys also may sign up to help clients by phone during the clinic hours. Sign up to volunteer here.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee will hold a free Parenting Plan Advice Clinic on July 21 from 1-4 p.m. EDT at the Slater Community Center, 325 McDowell St., Bristol 37620. Attorney volunteers are still needed. For more information or to sign up contact Matthew Sharp at msharp@laet.org. Clients can register here. View a flyer for the event.