1. Statewide Legal Aid Organizations
- Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS)
- Coordinates statewide legal aid programs and resources.
- Website: tals.org
- Phone: 1-888-395-9297
- Legal Aid of Tennessee (LANWT)
- Provides civil legal services to low-income residents (family law, housing, public benefits).
- Website: laet.org
- Phone: 1-800-238-1443 (Statewide Hotline)
2. Regional Legal Aid Providers
- Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS)
- Serves Shelby County and West Tennessee.
- Website: malsi.org
- Phone: 1-901-523-8822
- Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands
- Covers 48 counties in Middle and East Tennessee (Nashville, Clarksville, Chattanooga).
- Website: las.org
- Phone: 1-800-238-1443
- Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET)
- Serves 26 counties in East Tennessee (Knoxville, Johnson City, Morristown).
- Website: laet.org
- Phone: 1-865-637-0484
3. Directories & Search Tools
- LawHelp Tennessee
- Search for legal aid by topic or county: lawhelptn.org.
- Tennessee State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
- Low-cost consultations: tnbar.org.
- Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Directory
- Federally funded programs in TN: lsc.gov/find-legal-aid.
- Tennessee Courts Self-Help Center
- Forms, guides, and resources: tncourts.gov/self-help.
4. Hotlines
- Legal Aid of Tennessee Hotline: 1-800-238-1443
- Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-356-6767 (TN Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence).
- Senior Legal Helpline: 1-844-435-7483 (for residents 60+).
- Veterans’ Legal Assistance: Contact Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee or tnvet.org.
5. Additional Resources
- 211 Tennessee: Dial 211 or visit tn211.org for community referrals.
- Pro Bono Programs:
- Nashville Pro Bono Program: nashvilleprobono.org.
- Knoxville Legal Aid Society: knoxlegal.org.
- Self-Help Centers:
- Davidson County Self-Help Center (Nashville): nashville.gov.
- Shelby County Law Library (Memphis): shelbycountytn.gov.
- Immigration Legal Aid:
- Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC): tnimmigrant.org.
- Catholic Charities of Tennessee: cctenn.org.
- Native American Legal Services:
- Law School Clinics:
- Vanderbilt Law School Clinics: law.vanderbilt.edu/clinics.
- University of Tennessee College of Law Clinics: law.utk.edu/clinics.
Note
- Eligibility: Most programs prioritize low-income residents (under 200% of the federal poverty level) and specific case types (e.g., eviction, domestic violence, public benefits).
- Apply Online: Legal Aid of Tennessee offers an online intake form: laet.org/get-help.
- Urgent Issues: For emergencies (evictions, restraining orders), contact hotlines directly or visit courthouse self-help centers.
Let me know if you need help narrowing down options for a specific city (e.g., Nashville, Memphis) or legal issue!