LAS Attorney Honored by TBA
TBA’s Young Lawyers Division recognizes local lawyer with two awards
MURFREESBORO, TN, July 17, 2014 – The Tennessee Bar Association’s (TBA) Young Lawyers Division (YLD) recently awarded Legal Aid Society attorney Aimee Luna with the 2014 President’s Award and honored her as the first place winner of its “Paying for Press” challenge at the group’s annual meeting in June. Luna is an attorney with the Murfreesboro office of Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands.
The President’s Award is given annually to one TBA member for his or her exemplary work and tireless dedication to service within the YLD. Luna, who serves as the District 7 representative for the organization, was recognized by YLD President David McDowell for her exceptional efforts educating Tennessee lawyers and librarians about free legal resources through this year’s YLD public service project: The Library Education Project. The effort involved visits to libraries across the state to empower librarians to help members of the public in need of legal information and advice.
Luna personally visited eight libraries, coordinated six other library visits in East Tennessee, and made additional presentations to three different groups of lawyers so they too would be aware of these resources. She also was honored for seven years of service as District 7 representative and for her strong support of the Wills for Heroes program, which provides free wills and other end-of-life documents for first responders. Luna has sponsored several Wills for Heroes clinics in her district and has been a champion for the program.
“Aimee is an outstanding lawyer who has one of the fiercest desires to serve a community that I’ve ever seen,” said Andrae Crismon, managing attorney for Legal Aid Society’s Murfreesboro office. “It’s more than evident she’s making a real impact in our community. We are thrilled to see others recognize the significant contributions that we get to experience every day.”
In addition to the President's Award, Luna was selected as the first place finisher in the YLD's "Paying for Press" Challenge. An initiative of McDowell, the challenge encouraged young lawyers to get press coverage of the events, activities and projects they planned. Using his own funds, McDowell pledged to support the charity of the winners' choosing. Luna received a check for $500, which she designated for Unionville, Tennessee’s Community School Alumni Association where Luna is a member of its board of directors. The organization supports Community Elementary, Middle and High School. The funds raised by the Association provide scholarships and additional funding to the three schools to purchase things for the schools that are not otherwise covered by the school’s funding.
For the last 7 years, Luna has served as TBA’s YLD District 7 representative serving Cannon, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Rutherford and Sequatchie counties. She has been an attorney with Legal Aid Society since 2003. Luna focuses her practice on helping victims of domestic violence find safety and independence from abuse.
Learn more about the TBA’s YLD at http://www.tba.org/division/young-lawyers-division.
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands advocates for fairness and justice under the law. The non-profit law firm offers free civil legal representation, educational programs and advice to ensure people in its region are able to protect their livelihoods, their health and their families. It serves 48 counties from offices in Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Oak Ridge, and Tullahoma. Legal Aid Society is funded in part by United Way. Learn more at www.las.org.