NALS raises $4,700+ for Legal Aid Society
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, July 30, 2015 – NALS… the association for legal professionals, Nashville Chapter, raised more than $4,700 in proceeds for Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands during its third annual NALS After Hours Silent Auction held at Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis on July 16.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean attended the event and spoke in support of the important work that Legal Aid Society and its community partners are doing for low-income and immigrant families across Middle Tennessee.
“A core principle of Legal Aid Society is the idea that ‘justice should never be rationed.’ That’s also a core principle for our community. And it’s one I lived every day when I was Nashville’s Public Defender,” said Mayor Karl Dean. “No matter how much money someone has, even if they don’t have any money at all, they have a right to a good attorney. As everyone here knows, there are no throwaway lives in our community. Everyone has value. Everyone deserves respect, and everyone deserves a chance.”
Nearly 80 items were up for bid at the event with proceeds going directly to support Legal Aid Society’s mission to advance justice by providing advocacy and free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals throughout Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau.
“We’re extremely grateful to the nearly 60 local businesses and organizations that donated an item for the auction,” said Sharon Wilcox, president of NALS…the association for legal professionals, Nashville Chapter. “With their help, we are thrilled to say that we surpassed our goal and exceeded last year’s proceeds by $2,000.”
“We are thrilled with the auction’s success and are thankful for the generosity of NALS, local businesses and the auction attendees,” said Gary Housepian, Legal Aid Society’s executive director. “Recent statistics find that for every dollar invested in legal aid services, it produces an $11 economic impact on the community, so we expect these gifts to provide a positive rippling effect on the communities we serve.”
Singer/Songwriter Angela Martinez provided entertainment at the event, which was sponsored in part by Bone McAllester Norton PLLC; Neal & Harwell, PLC; Sherrard & Roe, PLC; Lewis Thomason; and Vowell, Jennings & Huseby. Other significant donations came from Bacon & Caviar (appetizers), Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP (space) and Professional Reprographics (programs).
NALS Nashville is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonunion organization of legal secretaries, legal assistants, paralegals, law office administrators, court clerks and other legal professionals affiliated with NALS, Inc., the national association and TALS-Legal Professionals of Tennessee, the Tennessee chapter. If you would like more information, please visit nalsnashville.com or by following NALS on Facebook
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, or by following the firm on Facebook.