LAET Hosts Pro Bono Night

CHATTANOOGA – Legal Aid of East Tennessee will host its Annual Pro Bono Night, Thursday, May 15 at Bessie Smith Hall in Chattanooga.  The event will celebrate local attorneys who have donated time and legal services during the past year to aid those who otherwise could not afford an attorney.

The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of four annual awards.  Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee, an outspoken advocate for access to justice for all Tennesseans, will receive the Chief Justice William M. Barker Equal Access to Justice Award.  Retired attorney Jay Ku will be honored as the Bruce C. Bailey Volunteer Lawyer of the Year, for establishing and running monthly divorce clinics that assisted more than 100 people in 2013.

Clark & Washington, P.C. will be honored as the Pro Bono Firm of the Year.  Having agreed to take all bankruptcy-related cases, their staff assisted more LAET clients in 2013 than any other Chattanooga law firm.  And Chattanooga CARES will receive the 2014 Alexander Hamilton Award as an organization outside the legal profession that furthers the betterment of access to justice and LAET clients’ well-being.

Judge Jacqueline Bolton and Chancellor Frank Brown will serve as Masters of Ceremony.  The evening will also feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beverages, a silent auction, and a live jazz band.

Tickets are $25 per person.  All proceeds from the event will benefit the programs of Legal Aid of East Tennessee.  For tickets or more information, visit http://probononight.eventbrite.com/, or call (423) 756-4013, extension 1105.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s mission is to ensure justice for elderly, abused, and low-income people by providing a broad scope of civil legal assistance and advocacy.  LAET serves eligible persons in 26 counties through offices in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Johnson City, Maryville, and Morristown.