Members of the Tennessee Supreme Court and the Access to Justice Commission honored attorneys across the state this week in ceremonies recognizing the pro bono work of attorneys, law students, and law firms.
Programs were held in Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville to laud the 167 attorneys who have volunteered their legal services to Tennesseans who are in need of legal assistance but lack the financial resources to hire an attorney. The awards are based on pro bono reports the attorneys file with the Board of Professional Responsibility.
The Supreme Court recognition carries with it a designation of Attorney for Justice or Law Student for Justice. Also, firms that average more than 50 hours of pro bono per year per attorney received the designation Attorneys for Justice.
Chief Justice Sharon G. Lee spoke at the ceremony at the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville Wednesday and shared stories of how pro bono had made a significant difference in the lives of Tennesseans.
“Your work on behalf of those who cannot afford legal representation is not required – it is a choice,” said Chief Justice Lee. “Thank you for making the decision to help others, to help our profession, and to help yourself.”
University of Tennessee College of Law Dean and Access to Justice Commission Chair Doug Blaze joined Chief Justice Lee in Knoxville to honor the 60 attorneys, 44 law students and one law office that achieved the recognition.
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Holly Kirby and Access to Justice Commissioner Buck Lewis, a Memphis attorney, presented the awards in Memphis on Monday to 33attorneys from west Tennessee. There are 25 law students and 3 law offices that were honored as well.
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia A. Clark and Nashville attorney and Access to Justice Commissioner David Esquivel presented the awards to the recipients from middle Tennessee on Tuesday. Seventy-four attorneys, 26 law students and five law offices were honored at Belmont College of Law
Pro bono – a Latin phrase meaning “for the public good” – is a longstanding tradition in the legal field in which attorneys volunteer their services at free or substantially reduced rates to those that are otherwise unable to afford them. While public funds provide attorneys to the criminally accused, no such option exists for those that may find themselves dealing with civil legal issues, such as landlord-tenant disputes, bankruptcy, discrimination, or employer problems.
See more photos from the events here.
