Mission Statement
Legal Aid Society's mission is to enforce, advance and defend the legal rights of low-income and vulnerable families in order to obtain for them the basic necessities of life.
Impact Statement
America was founded on the concept of equal justice for everyone..... it is confirmed in our pledge of allegiance and it is written above the doors of many courthouses, including the Supreme Court. However, there is a gap in our system. In civil cases, people who cannot afford legal representation usually must struggle alone against complicated government programs, individuals and entities in a position of power who are taking advantage of them, and violent family members. Legal Aid Society strives to fill that gap, helping to preserve that precious, cornerstone American value of justice for all.
Background Statement
The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands was founded in 1968 as Legal Services of Nashville by eight members of the Nashville Bar Association. It has since expanded and consolidated with other organizations to help low-income people in 48 counties through eight offices.
Legal Aid Society has earned a national reputation for the excellence of its work. It has prompted reform of public institutions and has exerted a major influence on the development of Tennessee law. It is a national leader in community education, producing creative self-help legal advice products that have been used throughout the country.
In 1996, changes in federal policy created new restrictions on the work that we could do while receiving Legal Services Corporation funds. We have since focused solely on individual cases and community education, and are no longer involved in class action lawsuits.
Individual representation is provided free of charge to over 7,000 people each year. The cases address civil legal problems that are critical to low-income people. The needs are prioritized and met through the following initiatives: protecting the elderly; protecting victims of domestic violence; representing children from violent homes; representing traumatic brain injury victims; access to healthcare; access to appropriate education for disabled children; medical-legal collaborative; preventing homelessness and financial crisis; Tennessee Taxpayers Project; Pro Bono Program; and community education.
