La Sociedad de Ayuda Legal lanza la campaña 2017 por la igualdad de justicia

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 15, 2017—Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands kicked off its 2017 Campaign for Equal Justice, Legal Aid Society’s annual fundraising initiative, on Thursday, March 9 with a luncheon at the Nashville City Club. This year, Legal Aid Society’s goal is to raise $826,000 to support its mission to provide free legal assistance to low-income individuals throughout Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau.

The luncheon reminded the crowd why the non-profit law firm’s mission is critical to so many in Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau. In his keynote address, Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Bivins commented on the impact volunteer lawyers have on the community.

“There are 1.1 million people in or near poverty in Tennessee and 70 percent of them need legal help each year,” Chief Justice Bivins said. “It’s important that we stand with one another because together we are woven into the Tennessee fabric.”

The kickoff luncheon also celebrated the efforts of law firms, attorneys and community partners in advancing the work of Legal Aid Society, including the 2017 Leadership Cabinet – a group of 45 Nashville law firms and in-house legal departments that have committed to giving $400 per attorney.

This year’s campaign committee is:

• Chair – Julie Watson Lampley
• Large Firm Co-chairs – John “Jay” B. Hardcastle Jr. and Emily A. Shouse
• Small Firm Co-chairs – Katherine “Kathy” A. Austin and Stephen G. Young
• Government Chair – Ann V. Butterworth
• Judges Co-chairs – Judge Lynda F. Jones and Judge James “Jim” G. Martin III
• Corporate Chair – Margaret “Meg” C. Mazzone
• Williamson County Chair – David H. Veile
• Clarksville Chair – Katie Bell Klinghard
• Columbia Chair – N. Houston Parks
• Gallatin Chair – Walter H. Stubbs
• Murfreesboro Chair – W. Scott Kimberly
• Oak Ridge Chair – Robert R. Asbury

The Campaign for Equal Justice is an annual initiative that raises funds for Legal Aid Society, Tennessee’s largest nonprofit law firm. In 2016, the campaign received $814,240.

“The goal of the campaign is not just to raise money, but to provide equal access to justice for the 440,000 people in the 48 counties throughout Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau who are eligible to receive the services we provide,” said Gary Housepian, executive director of Legal Aid Society. “Thanks to the donations of both time and money by the people in this room as well as hundreds of others not here, we are working to provide access to justice throughout our service area, including in the very small rural counties that have limited access to legal resources.”

Acerca de la Sociedad de Ayuda Legal

La Sociedad de Ayuda Legal de Middle Tennessee y Cumberlands aboga por la equidad y la justicia bajo la ley. La firma de abogados sin fines de lucro ofrece representación legal civil gratuita y programas educativos para ayudar a las personas de su región a recibir justicia, proteger su bienestar y apoyar oportunidades para superar la pobreza. Presta servicios a 48 condados desde oficinas en Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Oak Ridge y Tullahoma. La Sociedad de Ayuda Legal está financiada en parte por United Way. Obtenga más información en www.las.org, o siguiendo a la empresa en Facebook.