About
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) provides free civil legal help to people who cannot afford a lawyer.
We serve individuals and families across Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands who are facing serious legal problems. Our work includes help with housing and eviction, family law, domestic violence, benefits, education, consumer and money issues, taxes, and reentry after incarceration.
Each year, LAS helps thousands of Tennesseans protect their homes, safety, income, and basic rights. Our attorneys and advocates work alongside community partners, volunteer lawyers, and supporters to make sure justice is not limited by income.
At LAS, we believe everyone deserves fairness, dignity, and a chance to be heard—no matter who they are or how much money they have.
Learn About Our: Leadership | Get Help | Our History | Funding |
Need legal help, but not sure where to start?
We may be able to help you! We help with civil legal cases ranging from obtaining an order of protection to unfair treatment at your workplace.
Our team of experts work together to understand the problems our clients face and find the best way to address them.
We also have Legal Help Booklets on this website that may help with your legal problem.
If you want to talk to a lawyer for advice about your problem, you can come to a Free Legal Help Clinic. Click to see times and dates for legal advice.
Fighting for Justice: The Enduring Heritage of Legal Aid Society
" The national debate is this: to what extent should we as a nation support full and equal access to justice for those who can least afford it,"
-Ashley Wiltshire, Author Every Day Justice
At Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, we see the human cost of injustice every day. We see families facing eviction, parents fighting for their children, and individuals struggling against unfair treatment – all because they can't afford the legal help they desperately need.
But we also see the power of hope. We see the triumphs of our dedicated legal staff, the unwavering support of our community, and the countless lives transformed by access to justice.
Our work isn't only about a rich history of legal battles won – it's about people. Real people facing real challenges, who deserve a fair shot at justice. Our history has shown how access to the justice system can truely transform a life.
1968
Legal Services of Nashville, Inc. was incorporated on February 9th by eight members of the Nashville Bar Association (NBA). They received a grant from the OEO, which was one of the last grants before the 1968 election of Nixon.
John Corbitt, former Assistant District Attorney General, was named the first Executive Director.
1969
The doors of Legal Services of Nashville, Inc. (LSON) opened on February 3, 1969 in the Stahlman building. John Corbitt, R.B.J. Campbelle, Jr. and Alf Taylor were the first lawyers at LSON.
Applied for a Reginald Heber Smith Fellowship for two years. It paid $12,000 and the starting salary for an attorney at large firms was $15,000. Grayford Gray, Jerry Black, and Sarah Green were fellows – they challenged the housing authority.
1977
Legal Aid Society opened the Gallatin and Murfreesboro office and changed its name to Legal Services of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
1978
Rural Legal Services of Tennessee opened the office in Oak Ridge.
1979
Legal Services of Nashville and Middle Tennessee opened the Clarksville office.
1980
Legal Services of Nashville and Middle Tennessee opened the Tullahoma office.
1987
Legal Services of Middle Tennessee held their first fundraising campaign in Nashville with Charles Warfield as Campaign Chair
1988
Legal Services of Middle Tennessee campaign and Nashville Pro Bono campaign were combined for the first time. Harris Gilbert helped raise $100,000 as Campaign Chair.
1995
Legal Services of Nashville name changed to the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee.
2002
Consolidation of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee, Rural Legal Services of Tennessee, and Legal Services of South Carolina created the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LASMTC).
Tennessee Civil Legal Needs Assessment 2025
In 2025, the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services conducted a comprehensive statewide Civil Legal Needs Assessment to better understand the legal challenges facing low-income Tennesseans and gaps in access to justice. Based on surveys of more than 1,000 households and 165 legal, judicial, and community stakeholders across all 95 counties, the assessment found that over 78% of respondents experienced at least one civil legal problem in the past year, yet fewer than one in four sought legal help, largely due to cost, lack of awareness, and access barriers.
The most common unmet legal needs were:
- Healthcare and medical debt (36.5%),
- Family law issues including domestic violence and custody (30.2%)
- Housing instability such as eviction and landlord disputes (24.1%).
The assessment also highlights significant disparities affecting rural residents, people with disabilities, seniors, immigrants, and households earning under $40,000 annually. Persistent barriers—including limited internet access, language access challenges, and staffing shortages among legal aid providers—continue to widen the justice gap. The report calls for expanded funding, stronger community partnerships, innovative service delivery models, and targeted outreach to ensure Tennesseans can access the civil legal help they need to remain safe, housed, and financially stable.
Read the Full Report
Areas We Serve
Click on a service area to see list of counties and office contact information.
Clarksville Office Area
Clarksville OfficeCounties Served:
Stewart, Montgomery, Robertson, Houston, Dickson, Cheatham and Humphreys
Office Location:
109 South Third Street
Clarksville, TN 37040
The best way to get help is to call us at 931-552-6656 or 800-238-1443 before you come in. You will not be able to meet with a lawyer without an appointment and we may be able to help by phone or mail.
We are open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Columbia Office Area
Columbia OfficeCounties Served:
Perry, Hickman, Lewis, Maury, Marshall, Wayne, Lawrence, Giles
Office Location:
1503 Hatcher Lane, Suite 105;
Columbia, TN 38401
The best way to get help is to call us at 931-381-5533 or 800-238-1443 before you come in. You will not be able to meet with a lawyer without an appointment and we may be able to help by phone or mail.
We are open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Nashville Area
Nashville OfficeCounties Served:
Davidson, Williamson
Office Location:
1321 Murfreesboro Pike, Suite 400
Nashville, TN 37217
The best way to get help is to call us at 615-244-6610 or 800-238-1443 before you come in. You will not be able to meet with a lawyer without an appointment and we may be able to help by phone or mail.
We are open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Gallatin Office Area
Gallatin OfficeCounties Served:
Macon, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson
Office Location:
106 Public Square, Suite 109
Gallatin, TN 37066
The best way to get help is to call us at 615-451-1880 or 800-238-1443 before you come in. You will not be able to meet with a lawyer without an appointment and we may be able to help by phone or mail.
We are open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Murfreesboro Office Area
Murfreesboro OfficeCounties Served:
Cannon, Rutherford
Office Location:
526 North Walnut Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
The best way to get help is to call us at 615-890-0905 or 800-238-1443 before you come in. You will not be able to meet with a lawyer without an appointment and we may be able to help by phone or mail.
We are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Tullahoma Office Area
Tullahoma OfficeCounties Served:
Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Lincoln, Moore, Warren
Office Location:
281 Industrial Blvd.
Tullahoma, TN 37388
The best way to get help is to call us at 931-455-7000 or 800-238-1443 before you come in. You will not be able to meet with a lawyer without an appointment and we may be able to help by phone or mail.
We are open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Cookeville Office Area
Cookeville OfficeCounties Served:
Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Van Buren, White
Office Location:
9 South Jefferson Avenue, Suite 102
Cookeville, Tennessee 38501
The best way to get help is to call us at 931-528-7436 or 800-238-1443 before you come in. You will not be able to meet with a lawyer without an appointment and we may be able to help by phone or mail.
Oak Ridge Office Area
Oak Ridge OfficeCounties Served:
Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Roane, Scott,, Union
Office Location:
575 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Suite 201
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
The best way to get help is to call us at 865-483-8454 or 800-238-1443 before you come in. You will not be able to meet with a lawyer without an appointment and we may be able to help by phone or mail.