A dozen lawyers will try to relieve some legal stress for area folks in a free legal clinic today.

Charlie McDaniel, who heads the Legal Aid of East Tennessee's pro bono projects, said today's clinic is an effort to help needy people before the holidays with free advice.

"We're hoping to ease some stress, ease some minds and help people resolve any legal issues they have," McDaniel said.

The office covers 10 East Tennessee counties and has held five clinics in the Chattanooga area this year.

McDaniel said there are tentative plans to double the number of clinics and do more outreach. Lawyers who work for the office and others who volunteer help people with civil, not criminal cases.

A person must not be able to afford legal representation to qualify, McDaniel said.

One of the dozen attorneys on hand today, Brittany Thomas, is new to law but made an early commitment in her career to help those in need.

She practices mostly immigration law but works also on other areas of civil law at the firm Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison in Chattanooga.

The 24-year-old Oak Ridge, Tenn., native worked as an intern at the local Legal Aid office while in law school.

"For me, it reminds me of why I went to law school," she said. "You have someone who's already floundering, and having to hire an attorney can make things even worse."