The TBA Access to Justice Committee is accepting nominations for the 2025 Public Service Awards. The annual awards recognize outstanding commitment to access to justice in three categories: work performed by an attorney employed by an organization primarily involved in providing legal representation to the indigent, pro bono work performed by a private or corporate attorney, and a strong commitment to pro bono service by a Tennessee law student or recent graduate. Nominations are due by March 31. Awards will be presented during the TBA Annual Convention in June.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) is seeking feedback to assess and strengthen its Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP), with the goal of ensuring that there are meaningful and well-supported pro bono opportunities for the private bar. As part of this effort, LAS has created a survey to hear directly from attorneys about their experiences, motivations and challenges to engaging in pro bono and will utilize the results to help identify the most impactful pro bono opportunities for both attorneys and clients. The survey, which takes about 15 minutes, is open until March 14.

Registration is now open for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits, set for March 20 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. Register by March 17 to participate. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

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 March 8 to provide pro bono legal services to income-eligible consumer debtors. The clinic will begin at 9 a.m. EST 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.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee and the TBA Young Lawyers Division will be holding a virtual Name Change Clinic on March 6 at 4:30 p.m. EST via Zoom. Click here for more information and to volunteer.

Belmont Law, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands and the Metro Nashville Office of Conservatorship Management will hold a conservatorship clinic on Feb. 12 from 5-8 p.m. CST. Attorney volunteers are needed to assist pre-screened clients with the conservatorship process. Belmont Law students will assist the attorneys by filling out paperwork. The event will take place at Belmont Law, 1901 15th Ave. S., Nashville 37212. Want to volunteer? Contact Ginny Blake at ginny.blake@belmont.edu.

Registration is now open for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits, set for Feb. 20 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. Register by Feb. 17 to participate. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

The next legal clinic for veterans in Knoxville will take place Feb. 12 from 12-1 p.m. EST 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. Sign up to volunteer here.

The Memphis Bar Association (MBA) will host its Second Saturday Legal Advice Clinic this week on Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Attorneys are always needed to give legal advice and basic guidance on a range of issues, from divorce to employment law. To sponsor a future clinic, contact Mary Ann Upchurch at maupchurch@memphisbar.org. Questions about the clinic should be directed to Memphis Area Legal Services Pro Bono Managing Attorney Heather Staggs at hstaggs@malsi.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.