Executive Director, David R. Yoder, is a graduate of Purdue University and Valparaiso University School of Law. Yoder has dedicated 35 years to serving the civil legal needs of low-income people. He has served as a staff attorney, ten years as Executive Director of Legal Services of Northwest Indiana in Gary, Indiana and now 16 years as Executive Director of Legal Services of East Tennessee. His litigation record includes federal and state courts and both trial and appellate practice.

Yoder’s experience includes early leadership in domestic violence response beginning with client representation and including the Michigan Joint Legislative Citizen’s Advisory Task Force on Domestic Violence, Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board and now the Knoxville Family Justice Center Board. Areas of practice have included domestic relations, public benefits, employment, housing, education, consumer and the law of not-for-profit corporations.

Yoder’s career includes serving as adjunct professor and reestablishing a general service law school clinic, junior college curriculum development and instruction, Lake County (Indiana) Bar Association President, Indiana Bar Association Pro Bono Committee Chair, Tennessee Association of Legal Services Board Chair and South East Project Directors, and Administrators Association President. He has extensive legislative advocacy, public speaking, training, community organizing, and fundraising experience. He has authored published articles and is the creator of “Before Atticus Said Yes”.