Oak Ridge Today

Free legal clinics offered in Tennessee in April

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The Tennessee Supreme Court has designated April as the third annual HELP4TN Days, a time dedicated to bringing free legal resources to Tennesseans in need. Throughout the month of April, more than 100 free legal clinics will be held throughout the state, and online and phone-based legal services will be offered to residents who cannot make it to a legal clinic.

Oak Ridge is one of the locations where the free legal clinics will be held.

“The legal system can be confusing and intimidating to many,” Chief Justice Jeff Bivins said. “The goal of the Court’s Access to Justice Initiative is to help Tennesseans get the legal assistance they need when and where they need it.”

The best place to start when looking for legal resources is help4tn.org or by calling (844) HELP4TN, a press release said. Both options can link Tennesseans to dozens of legal resources, the release said.

[Read more…]

Landlord summit for Anderson County landlords on Friday

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There will be a free landlord summit for all Anderson County landlords in Oak Ridge on Friday.

The landlord summit is being hosted by Tennessee Valley Continuum of Care. It is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, May 19, at the Scarboro Community Center, which is at 148 Carver Avenue in Oak Ridge. The event will include a free continental breakfast, which will begin at 8:30 a.m., a press release said. Reservations are not required.

The press release said landlords are encouraged to attend because many helpful topics will be offered, including:

  • MORE2 (Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient)—These are energy-saving upgrades available to Oak Ridge homes for lower income home owners and renters.
  • Housing Choice Voucher Program—Learn how landlords can secure rental payments by participating in this program.
  • Case Management—Learn how case management from various nonprofit organizations can help your tenant be successful in housing.
  • Free Legal Information—Learn about new housing laws, eviction requirements, fair housing, and other valuable topics.

[Read more…]

Legal Aid Society receives grant for foreclosure prevention, community redevelopment

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Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, which is Tennessee’s largest nonprofit law firm and has an office in Oak Ridge, has received a two-year grant from the Tennessee Bar Foundation to increase foreclosure prevention and community redevelopment legal assistance.

The Tennessee Bar Foundation, the administrator of funds generated through Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts, or IOLTA, in Tennessee, received part of a nationwide donation to IOLTA programs from Bank of America, as part of a settlement of claims with the Justice Department arising from the home mortgage crisis. They have awarded Legal Aid Society $259,640 to give legal assistance to low-income people and seniors in their Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Oak Ridge, and Tullahoma offices, a press release said. [Read more…]

Legal Aid Society moves Oak Ridge office to new location

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Victory Centre

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Tennessee’s largest nonprofit law firm, has relocated its Oak Ridge office from 226 Broadway Avenue to Suite 201 in Victory Centre, which is pictured above, at 575 Oak Ridge Turnpike. (Photo courtesy of R&R Properties)

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Tennessee’s largest nonprofit law firm, has relocated its Oak Ridge office. The office has moved from 226 Broadway Avenue to Suite 201 in Victory Centre at 575 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The new 3,590-square-foot office’s location is convenient for clients and guests, a press release said. The space also meets Legal Aid Society’s growing tech infrastructure needs: The firm recently began deploying video conferencing technology, which it will use to better connect with other staff members, volunteer attorneys, and clients across the nonprofit law firm’s 48-county service area.

“We are fortunate to have found an office that is so easily accessible to our clients and the public—plus the amount of space and the amenities allow our office to be both inviting and functional,” said Janet Mynatt, managing attorney of Legal Aid Society’s Oak Ridge office. [Read more…]

Legal Aid Society hires two new support staff members

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Mary Burney

Mary Burney

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Tennessee’s largest nonprofit law firm, announced Monday that two new support staff members have been added to the firm.

Mary Burney has returned to Legal Aid Society’s Oak Ridge office as the receptionist/intake worker. Burney previously worked for Legal Aid Society in the same capacity from 2008-2014 and was the office manager/legal assistant for Rural Legal Services of Tennessee (predecessor to Legal Aid Society) from 1979-2003. Prior to this return, Burney was a bailiff for the Roane County Sheriff’s Department.

“We are thrilled to have Mary back in the office,” said Janet Mynatt, managing attorney of Legal Aid Society’s office in Oak Ridge. “Except for our new database, things have remained pretty much the same, so Mary has been able to jump right back in. Her past experience with this office will be an asset to our staff and clients alike.” [Read more…]

Legal Aid Society Community Award honors Anderson County Juvenile Court

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Oak Ridge Community Award and Anderson County Juvenile Court

Picture above from left to right are April Seiber (ACJC Lead Youth Services Officer), Sandy Slater (ACJC Youth Services Officer), Betsy Hunt (Judge Hunt’s wife), Judge Brian J. Hunt, Angie Perez (ACJC Judicial Assistant), Denise Casteel (ACJC Youth Services Officer), and Elizabeth Risner (ACJC Youth Services Officer). Not shown: Andrew Williams (ACJC Youth Services Officer) (Submitted photo)

 

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands’ Oak Ridge office honored Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge Brian J. Hunt and the staff of the Anderson County Juvenile Court with its inaugural Community Award at a reception on Tuesday, October 6, at CapitalMark Bank and Trust in Oak Ridge.

Legal Aid Society’s Community Award honors individuals and/or organizations in the community for their leadership and compassion in supporting the nonprofit law firm’s mission, a press release said.

More than 60 people, including Representative Kent Calfee, Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark, former Mayor David Bradshaw (who hosted the event as President of CapitalMark Bank and Trust in Oak Ridge), United Way of Anderson County Executive Director Naomi Asher, and Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson celebrated Judge Hunt and the Anderson County Juvenile Court, or ACJC, for partnering with Legal Aid Society to advance access to justice among our region’s youth. [Read more…]

Legal Aid Society kicks off 2015 Campaign for Equal Justice

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2015 Legal Aid Leadership Cabinet

Legal Aid Society’s 2015 Leadership Cabinet is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands kicked off its 2015 Campaign for Equal Justice, Legal Aid Society’s annual fundraising initiative, on Tuesday, March 17, with a luncheon at the Nashville City Club. This year, Legal Aid Society’s goal is to raise $800,000 to support its mission to provide free legal assistance to low-income residents throughout Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau.

Legal Aid Society has an office in Oak Ridge.

The Tuesday luncheon sent a message to the community at large: The legacy and important work of Legal Aid Society must live on. This message was affirmed by a keynote panel discussion moderated by Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Lee and featuring two former Legal Aid Society executive directors: Ashley T. Wiltshire Jr. and Judge Walter C. Kurtz. [Read more…]

Honors: Legal Aid Society attorney receives second ARC of Anderson County Dove Award

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Theresa-Vay Smith

Theresa-Vay Smith

The ARC of Anderson County, a United Way agency serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, recently honored Theresa-Vay Smith as one of the recipients of the organization’s 2014 Dove Awards. Smith is an attorney with the Oak Ridge office of Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands.

Dove Awards are given every year to recipients who display outstanding service to children or adults with cognitive or developmental disabilities, a press release said.

The Emory Valley Center in Anderson County, a nonprofit agency serving children and adults with disabilities, nominated Smith for the award. Smith represents disabled individuals of the Emory Valley Center who need home-based care.

This is Smith’s second time being honored. She first received the award in 2011. [Read more…]

Spotlight: Legal Aid Society announces new hire at Oak Ridge office

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Michelle Darsey

Michelle Darsey

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Tennessee’s largest nonprofit law firm, has welcomed Michelle Darsey to the Oak Ridge office location as receptionist.

Darsey brings more than 10 years of client service and office support experience to her new role. She has served in public interest positions through the AmeriCorps/Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA, program as a homeless outreach specialist for United Neighborhood Health Services and as a prisoner reentry liaison for the San Diego County District Attorney’s office.

“Michelle is a service-oriented individual who is dedicated to her work and to helping others,” said Janet Mynatt, managing attorney for the Oak Ridge office of Legal Aid Society. “She previously excelled in a legal office setting and we are certain she will do the same with Legal Aid Society. We are happy to welcome her to the firm.” [Read more…]

Legal Aid Society promotes Janet Mynatt to managing attorney in Oak Ridge

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Janet Mynatt

Janet Mynatt

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Tennessee’s largest nonprofit law firm, announced on Monday that it has promoted Janet Mynatt to managing attorney of the Oak Ridge office. Mynatt is replacing former Managing Attorney Neil McBride, who retired this month after 35 years of service.

Mynatt joined Legal Aid Society as a staff attorney at the Oak Ridge office in 2001. In 2005-06, she was awarded a John G. Brooks Consumer Law Fellowship through the National Legal Aid and Defender Association and the National Consumer Law Center. She graduated from the Tennessee Bar Association’s Leadership Law Program in 2009 and served as president of the Anderson County Bar Association in 2011.

“Janet is an outstanding attorney and natural leader—the perfect person to fill the big shoes of Neil McBride, who has managed the Oak Ridge office since 1978,” said Gary Housepian, executive director of Legal Aid Society. “She has helped many, many people in the Oak Ridge area throughout her time at Legal Aid Society and has been an active member of the community. I have no doubt that our Oak Ridge office will continue to have a significant impact in Oak Ridge and throughout the surrounding region under Janet’s leadership.” [Read more…]

Attorney to discuss impact of new laws on long-term health care

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Mary Lyn Goodman

Mary Lyn Goodman

A Legal Aid attorney will discuss new laws affecting long-term health care during Lunch with the League on Tuesday.

Mary Lyn Goodman, an attorney with Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, will be the guest speaker. The talk begins at noon in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]