Third Annual Summit Highlights Opportunities for Partnership

TBA President Jonathan Steen spoke to a group of law students and faculty about the significance of making an intentional commitment to pro bono and public interest work, even as students and young lawyers. He noted that involvement with the access to justice community is “an incredibly meaningful way to enter our profession” and encouraged the students to find opportunities that are both satisfying and can help with practical skills.

The TBA Access to Justice Committee sponsored this third "Pro Bono and Public Interest Law School Summit" to encourage conversation and planning about the needs, opportunity, challenges and possibilities surrounding pro bono work and related access to justice issues. The two-day conference was hosted in Memphis by the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law was attended by over two dozen representatives from five of Tennessee’s law schools and partnering organizations. 

Steen was among a group of leaders of the Tennessee Access to Justice community who gathered in Memphis to support law students pursuing pro bono opportunities while in school and as they enter the legal profession. Other participants at the conference included Supreme Court Justice Connie Clark, Access to Justice Commissioners J. Houston Gordon and Ann Pruitt and representatives from legal aid organizations.

TBA ATJ Committee Members from five of the state’s law school also participated, including Callie Caldwell from the University of Memphis, Laura Hash from the Duncan School of Law, John Lewis from the Nashville School of Law, Brad Morgan from the University of Tennessee and Jeffrey Usman from Belmont University.

The students and other law school representatives shared program ideas, developed plans for alternative spring break projects and learned about the many opportunities for pro bono and public interest service that exist within Tennessee's community of legal aid service providers. 

For more information on this or other related TBA Access to Justice programs, please contact Liz Todaro, Access to Justice/Public Education Coordinator at ltodaro@tnbar.org. 

Access to Justice Commissioner and Covington attorney J. Houston Gordon addresses participants at the third Annual Law School Pro Bono Summit at the University of Memphis Law School.
Callie Caldwell from the University of Memphis - Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, TALS Executive Director Ann Pruitt, TBA ATJ Coordinator Liz Todaro and TALS Operations Director Samantha Sanchez at the Summit.		Brad Morgan from the University of Tennessee College of Law with Tennessee Supremem Court Access to Justice Commissioners J. Houston Gordon and Ann Pruitt.
TBA President Jonathan Steen addresses participants at the Law School Pro Bono Summit in Memphis.		Representatives from legal aid organizations answer questions about building partnerships with law school pro bono programs.
TBA ATJ Committee Member and Nashville School of Law (NSL) Faculty John Lewis, along with Memphis Attorney Tiffany Bowders and NSL Student John Roberts presented on pro bono opportunities with Habitat for Humanity.		Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Connie Clark with law students from Belmont University.
Representatives from the University of Tennessee College of Law participated in the third annual Summit.		Justice Connie Clark meets with Tennessee law students during the Summit.
Law School Pro Bono Summit participants gather with Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Connie Clark and TBA President Jonathan Steen during Saturday morning's presentations.