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Legal Aid Society's mission isto enforce, advance anddefend the legal rights of low-income and vulnerable peoplein order to obtain for them thebasic necessities of life.

We help clients navigate unfair financialpractices like predatory lending, debtcollection abuse, and fraudulent contracts.Our goal is to protect individuals fromfinancial harm and preserve their economicstability.Clients turn to us to secure and keep vitalhealth coverage, including TennCare,Medicare, and other public health benefits.Our team advocates for those denied orwrongfully cut off from essential medicalservices, ensuring they receive the care towhich they’re entitled.Education is a civil right, and every studentdeserves equal access. We advocate forstudents and families—particularly inspecial education—by enforcing rightsunder IEPs and 504 plans and preventingwrongful discipline or denial of services.From defending against evictions tochallenging unsafe living conditions, wework to keep families housed and secure.We also help tenants understand theirrights and fight unlawful housing practices.Our attorneys assist with legal issues involvingdomestic violence, custody, divorce, andguardianship. We ensure families, especiallysurvivors, have the support they need to moveforward.We help individuals overcome legal barriers afterincarceration so they can successfully reintegrateinto their communities. From expungements todriver’s license restoration and housing access, ourteam provides vital legal support that opens doorsto employment, stability, and second chances.Consumer LawHealth & BenefitsEducationHousingFamilyRentryImmigrant survivors of domestic violence,trafficking, and serious crimes receivecompassionate legal representation throughour immigration practice. We guide clientsthrough complex legal systems to help themfind safety, stability, and a sense of hope inaccordance with all state and federal laws.Our team protects workers’ rights in casesof wrongful termination, unpaid wages, anddiscrimination. Special attention is given tolow-wage and vulnerable workers to ensurefairness and dignity in the workplace.For legal matters that don’t fall neatly into one ofour other practice areas—we provide guidanceand support. Immigration Employment GeneralAbout Legal Aid SocietyWe have 8 officesand serve 48 counties inTennessee.GallatinClarksvilleCookevilleColumbiaNashvilleTullahomaMurfreesboroOak RidgePractice Areas

Walter H. StubbsBoard of Directors PresidentDarKenya W. WallerExecutive Director

In today’s challenging times, where housing insecurity, wage violations,and systemic inequities persist, our work is more urgent than ever. Thisyear’s report is more than a snapshot of services; it’s a reflection ofresilience and impact. In 2024, our attorneys closed more than 7,700 cases, secured over $20million in savings and benefits for our clients, and reached thousands ofpeople through our community education and outreach efforts. Fromprotecting seniors’ benefits to defending tenants from unlawful evictions,our team of 55 attorneys, 75 support staff, and hundreds of volunteersworked tirelessly across 48 counties to uphold dignity and deliver hopeto Tennessee’s most vulnerable communities.As you turn these pages, I invite you to not only reflect on what we’veachieved together, but also to envision what’s possible with continuedsupport. Thank you for walking with us, for investing in justice, and forhelping Legal Aid Society remain the archway through which thousandswalk toward stability, safety, and strength. With gratitude, DarKenya W. Waller, Executive DirectorWalter H. Stubbs, Board of Directors PresidentA NoteFrom ourLeadershipLegal Aid Society serves as anarc for justice, bridging the gapbetween poverty and protection,instability and security.

LeadershipBoard of DirectorsAmelia LunaChristine McMenaminIska HooleJ. Kevin FowlerJanet MynattKatie KellyPatricia A. JonesShelby DodsonMarla WilliamsManaging Attorneys Executive LeadershipDarKenya W. WallerKalyne RendaPaul SwineyZachary OswaldShaina CastilloDirector of AdvocacyDavid KozlowskiPractice Group LeadsAllison JonesAmelia LunaElizabeth LeisersonKatie OvalleMarla WilliamsPatty SellarsWilliam BushSub-Practice Group LeadsChay SengkhounmanyMary GillumPatricia A. JonesFirm LeadershipCharita BennettJohn Blankenship Traci BrooksMelinda Buck Brown James (Jim) ConleySharon CraneDiane DavisMargaret DodsonDrew GoddardCameron HoffmeyerBrad HornsbyChristina SandersSal VarsalonaKatie KlinghardTessa LawsonJoel LucasMisty PhyKondall (Dallas) ReddyAdrie Rhodes Ashley WatersKatie Matthews ZipperWalter Stubbs,PresidentDavid Weil, 1st Vice PresidentSusan Kay, Immediate Past PresidentJim (James) Weatherly, Executive Committee Member at LargeFrank Toub, YLC InternMozianio “Trey” S. Reliford, III,TreasurerErin Palmer Polly, 2nd Vice PresidentOfficers:

Family2039Housing1652Individual Rights1557Income Maintenance801Consumer553Miscellaneous531Employment305Health256By The Numbers2024 YTD Closings byLegal Problem CodeCategoryEducation41Nashville35.4%Gallatin16.2%Oak Ridge14.9%Clarksville8.5%Murfreesboro7.6%Cookeville6.3%Columbia6%Tullahoma5.1%Cases Resolvedby OfficeLocations

7,7556,009C a s e s R e s o l v e d i n 2 0 2 4C a s e s R e s o l v e di n 2 0 2 3By The Numbers5,409C a s e s R e s o l v e di n 2 0 2 2$20M+S e c u r e d i n b e n e f i t s a n ds a v i n g s f o r c l i e n t s i n2 0 2 4

55A t t o r n e y s8O f f i c e s a c r o s s T e n n e s s e e48C o u n t i e s s e r v e d360,000i n d i v i d u a l s l i v e a t o rb e n e a t h t h e f e d e r a l p o v e r t yl i n e i n o u r a r e a s o f s e r v i c e1L e g a l A i d a t t o r n e y f o r e v e r y8 , 0 0 0 c i t i z e n s w h o m i g h t n e e do u r s e r v i c e s$7 r e t u r n o n i n v e s t m e n t i se n j o y e d f o r e v e r y d o l l a rd o n a t e d t o L e g a l A i d By The Numbers

Connecting withthe Communitieswe Serve

Outreach Events832O u t r e a c h e v e n t s6,147,835C o m m u n i t y m e m b e r sr e a c h e d39,435E d u c a t i o n a l m a t e r i a l sd i s t r i b u t e d

The Gift of Time

The Volunteer Lawyers Program thrives on the generosity of attorneys across MiddleTennessee. In 2024, our growing network of pro bono attorneys helped LAS serve more clientsthan our staff could alone, expanding access to legal help for more Tennesseans. Pro bonoattorneys volunteered their time through clinics and extended services, demonstrating thatwhen we work together, we can truly close the justice gap.VOLUNTEERLAWYERS PROGRAM1,000+2,750C a s e s P l a c e d w i t h P r o B o n o A t t o r n e y s1,112C a s e s R e s o l v e di n 2 0 2 4H o u r s G i f t e d T h r o u g hC l i n i c s a n d E x t e n d e dS e r v i c e s

2 0 2 4 P R O B O N O L E A D E R S H I P A W A R DWhether representing a domestic violence survivor seeking safety or a veterannavigating a complex benefits issue, these volunteers step in where the law meetshuman need.VOLUNTEERLAWYERS PROGRAMThe Firm of Holland & Knight was recognized for its outstandingcommitment to pro bono service, with 43 attorneys collectivelycontributing 683 hours to Legal Aid clients. Holland and Knight’sfirmwide participation reflects a deep culture of service andleadership in the pursuit of equal justice.2 0 2 4 P R O B O N O A T T O R N E Y O F T H E Y E A RIn 2024, attorney Rebecca Lyford generously donated over 126hours of pro bono legal services, more than any other volunteerin our network. Her unwavering dedication and compassion seta powerful example of what it means to stand for justice.

Pillar firms that work with a specific legal matter, adopt a monthly clinic,commit to a certain number of cases, or target a certain rural area onbehalf of Legal Aid Society. By partnering with LAS, Pillar Firms createefficient pro bono projects that benefit both their communities and theirfirms. We thank our Pillar Firms for their service and partnership!Pillar Firms

Grants Awarded toSupport our WorkAdministrative Office of the Courts (AOC)AOC Parent Education Mediation Fund (PEMF)Center for Nonprofit Management - RadicalLoving Care Award (Runner Up)Frist FoundationGreater Nashville Regional CouncilHealing TrustHospital Corporation of America (HCA)Internal Revenue ServiceLegal Services Corporation (LSC)LSC Pro Bono Innovation FundMemorial FoundationMetropolitan Government of NashvilleNashville Bar AssociationNational Telephone Abuse Prevention Project(NTAPP) - National Legal Aid and DefenderAssociation (NLADA)Office of Criminal Justice Programs (OCJP)Office on Violence Against WomenSouth Central TN Development DistrictTN Department of HealthTN Department of Human ServicesUnited Way of Anderson CountyUnited Way of Franklin CountyUnited Way of Greater ClarksvilleUnited Way of Greater NashvilleUnited Way of Rutherford/Cannon CountiesUnited Way of Sumner County

In today’schallenging times,the work of LAS ismore critical thanever.

Investment Income Federal, State, Local Funding Foundations and Other Grants Equal Justice Campaign Gilbert Family Fellows EndowmentInvestment Income Federal, State, Local Funding Foundations and Other Grants Equal Justice Campaign Gilbert Family Fellows Endowment02,000,0004,000,0006,000,0008,000,00010,000,00012,000,000The financial results of Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and theCumberlands, fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, were reviewed externally byKraftCPAs PLLC. To find copies of Form 990 and audit reports, scan the QR codebelow or visit https://las.org/about/financial-information.FINANCIALPERFORMANCEFunding SourcesGovernment Grants $11,831,122Equal Justice Campaign $905,115Investment Income $549,587Foundations and Other Grants $886,347Gilbert Family Fellows Endowment $1,100,000$15,272,171

LeadershipCabinetThe Leadership Cabinet is comprised of law firms and in-house counsels thatcontribute at least $400 per attorney or a minimum $10,000. We are proud to partnerwith these organizations in a mutual commitment to provide equal access to justicefor vulnerable community members.

As we look ahead to 2025, Legal Aid Society is launching a bold new phase ofour Equal Justice Campaign—an initiative to expand access to free civil legalservices for low-income individuals and families across Middle Tennessee.Led by a dynamic committee of leaders from the legal, corporate, andphilanthropic sectors, we aim to raise $1.22 million to protect housing, safety, andeconomic stability for our most vulnerable neighbors. Together, we’re building afuture where justice isn’t based on income, but on fairness for all. Join us—makea gift, become a sponsor, or attend our kickoff gala, An Evening at ClementineHall, on September 20, 2025.Justice should never be a privilege. Let’s make it a right.Looking Ahead to 2025“Equal access to justice is everyone’s business—becausejustice should never depend on who you are or what you canafford. This is a human issue, about dignity and fairness for all.Legal Aid Society serves everyone, providing vital legalservices and full representation to those who need it most. Thatneed is constant, but in today’s world, it is more urgent thanever. The funds we raise through the Equal Justice Campaignensure that Legal Aid Society can continue this work year afteryear, defending the principle that justice belongs to all of us." -Gulam Zade, 2025 EJC Chairperson

“That’s WhenLegal Aid Stepped In...”

Meet Our Client.Alex*, a 73-year old man, fell behind on his mortgage. Facing foreclosure, withlimited income and no family support, he considered selling his home. That’s whentwo scammers appeared—offering $50,000 in cash for the property. It was a verbalpromise with no written agreement, but Alex trusted them. Trustingly, He signedaway his property but never saw the $50,000. When Alex refused to leave withoutthe promised payment, the scammers filed to evict him. That’s when Legal Aidstepped in.Alex’s LAS attorneys discovered the scammers violated the Tennessee Foreclosure-Related Rescue Services Act and sued to undo the transfer. Based on Legal Aid’s2021 appellate win, his attorney negotiated a settlement: Alex could regain his title ifhe reimbursed what the scammers paid toward the mortgage. But Alex had nomoney, just equity in the home he no longer legally owned.Thankfully, he qualified for a new mortgage. Legal Aid navigated 200+ pages ofdocuments and helped Alex complete required HUD counseling. The home alsoneeded repairs to pass inspection, including a new roof. LAS staff found a rooferwilling to wait for payment and secured a lien to protect the arrangement.The inspection passed. The new mortgage closed, right in our Nashville office.Alex’s title was restored. The scammers were reimbursed and the roofers were paid.No more eviction threats. Just peace of mind—and his home, finally back in hisname.*Name changed for confidentiality.

Meet Our Client.Claire* couldn't sleep. Her abusive husband kept her up night after night screamingat her, destroying her things, disabling her car so she couldn't leave. When Clairecame to LAS, she was terrified to stay but terrified to leave. If she filed for divorce,would he get the house? Where would she go? Clarie's case was assigned to anattorney and a domestic violence advocate. Claire's attorney immediately took thecase to court, and Claire was granted an order of protection. Claire's advocate got practical. She got Claire a Ring camera and new locks for herhouse to make sure she was physically safe. She connected Claire to anorganization that could help her pay her mortgage during this difficult transition. Shesent Claire to our tax attorneys to make sure she got her tax refund. When Claire's attorney filed the divorce, her husband was ready to fight. Just likeClaire predicted, he wanted part of the house, even though he was in jail whileClaire kept up with the mortgage. LAS got Claire her divorce and her house, a$280,000 value. Claire is moving forward with her life in her own home and free fromviolence.*Name changed for confidentiality.

Thank you foryour supportinstagram.com/legalaidsocietymidtn/facebook.com/LASMTC#Linkedin.com/company/legal-aid-society-of-middle-tennessee-&-the-cumberlandswww.las.org1.800.238.14431321 Murfreesboro Pike Suite 400Nashville, TN 37217