Access to Justice
Contrary to popular belief people are not guaranteed access to an attorney when they encounter civil legal issues. As a result, people who cannot afford an attorney are left to handle a variety of legal issues on their own.
In response to this growing problem, the Tennessee Supreme Court made access to justice its number one strategic priority and formally announced their Access to Justice Initiative in December 2008.
In April 2009, the Supreme Court formed the 10-member Access to Justice Commission.
2012 Strategic Plan
2010 Strategic Plan
March 6, 2013
More than 50 lawyers, paralegals, judges, court clerks, and administrative staff of pro bono legal clinics gathered in Nashville recently to discuss strategies for pro bono legal clinics.The Pro Bono...
February 5, 2013
In an effort to reach more people in need of information about legal services, the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission has formed a faith-based initiative to engage lawyers within...
February 1, 2013
Justice Janice Holder participated in a Pro Bono and Public Service Conference for law students on January 25-26 at Belmont University College of Law. Faculty, staff and students from all six...
January 28, 2013
Marcy Eason, a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission, has been awarded the Ralph H. Kelly Humanitarian Award by the Chattanooga Bar Association.The award is given to...
January 14, 2013
A coalition of Tennessee legal groups has joined forces to launch a toll-free phone line offering free legal information and referrals to low-income Tennesseans.The service, known as aLEGALz, will...
December 7, 2012
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Janice Holder, who also serves as the Court's liaison to the Access to Justice Commission, spoke to about 200 attorneys in Nashville Friday, including Attorney General...
December 6, 2012
Access to Justice Commissioner and Dean of the University of Tennessee College of Law Doug Blaze has been named the 2012 recipient of the Deborah Rhode Award.The award is given each year by the...
December 4, 2012
The Tennessee Supreme Court has launched two in a series of online videos for the public and lawyers as part of its Access to Justice Initiative.The two videos are designed to provide pro bono...
October 31, 2012
More than $200,000 has been awarded to seven agencies across Tennessee as part of the Supreme Court’s Access to Justice initiative.The support is made possible through federal funding received from...
October 19, 2012
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Janice Holder and Access to Justice Commission Chair Buck Lewis presented to students at The University of Tennessee College of Law recently about Access to Justice...
Justice for All Website
As part of the Supreme Court's Access to Justice initiative, the Court has launched a website with forms, information and other resources for people who need legal assistance and attorneys and community members who wish to volunteer. Click the button above or visit JusticeForAllTN.com.
Contact
For more information about the Acess to Justice program, please contact:
Anne-Louise Wirthlin
Access to Justice Coordinator
615-741-2687
anne.louise.wirthlin@tncourts.gov