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Tennessee partnership schedules legal aid clinic in Chattanooga area

Emily Lay walks past a banner near her office in the halls of Erlanger hospital. Lay works in the Legal Aid of East Tennessee office at Erlanger, part of the new Health-Law Partnership. Lay assists patients with legal matters that may affect their health or recovery.
Emily Lay walks past a banner near her office in the halls of Erlanger hospital. Lay works in the Legal Aid of East Tennessee office at Erlanger, part of the new Health-Law Partnership. Lay assists patients with legal matters that may affect their health or recovery. Emily Lay walks past a banner near her office in the halls of Erlanger hospital. Lay works in the Legal Aid of East Tennessee office at Erlanger, part of the new Health-Law Partnership. Lay assists patients with legal matters that may affect their health or recovery.

By Staff Report 2 min read

A partnership among Legal Aid of East Tennessee and faith-based groups is setting up clinics to help people with a variety of civil legal issues.

A news release from Legal Aid said an estimated 1 million Tennesseans face some type of civil legal issue each year. About 1 in 3 either can’t afford a lawyer or may not recognize they need one.

In 2017, Legal Aid joined with the Tennessee Faith and Justice Alliance, Christian Legal Society and Chattanooga Gospel Justice Initiative to host more than 10 legal aid clinics in churches around the Chattanooga area. The Southeast Tennessee Veterans Coalition has joined up to reach more military veterans with legal and other needs.

The clinics are open to anyone with a civil legal issue or question who can’t otherwise afford an attorney. People interested are advised to call in advance so that attorneys with an expertise in the specific area of concern can be available to assist.

Here are the scheduled upcoming clinics:

» Thursday: Small Business Start-Up Workshop, Part 1 of 2

11:30 a.m.-1:00p.m., White Oak UMC, 2232 Lyndon Ave.

» Feb. 15: Small Business Start-Up Workshop, Part 2 of 2

5-7 p.m., White Oak UMC

» Feb. 17: GJI Advanced Health Care Directives Breakfast

9 a.m.- noon, White Oak UMC

» Feb. 19: Military Veterans Legal Aid Partnership Clinic

1-4:30 p.m., Family Justice Center, 5705 Uptain Road

» March 6: Partnership Legal Aid Clinic

1-3 p.m., Samaritan Center of Ooltewah

» March 7: Partnership Legal Aid Clinic

5-7 p.m., location TBD

» March 17: GJI Office Hour Clinic

9 a.m.-noon, White Oak UMC

(Appointments recommended; visit www.gji.org/chattanooga)

» April 5: Partnership Legal Aid Clinic

5-7 p.m., Jones Memorial UMC in East Ridge

» April 21: GJI Office Hour Clinic

9 a.m-noon, White Oak UMC

(Appointments recommended; visit www.gji.org/chattanooga)

Attendees will be screened for eligibility for Legal Aid of East Tennessee. If not qualified, they will be charged a $30 administrative fee but no other charge to consult an attorney.

For more information, call Pro Bono Director Paige Evatt at 423-402-4758 or email pevatt@laet.org.

Contact the Chattanooga Gospel Justice Initiative at 423-521-5410 or email at Chattanooga@gji.org.