Recent training in Nashville has reinforced a state Supreme Court initiative for lawyers to offer free legal work in civil lawsuits.
Unlike Criminal Court, most civil matters don’t require court-appointed attorneys under state law, Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge Jeff Hollingsworth said.
The Access to Justice Initiative, unveiled by the Tennessee Supreme Court in December 2008, laid out plans for increasing pro bono, or free, legal services to people in the civil system.
“That created a structure that makes it easier on lawyers to volunteer,” Hollingsworth said.
In January, the Supreme Court held its first pro bono summit in Nashville, hosting more than 100 lawyers, judges and community leaders in a daylong meeting on pro bono work.