LAET News Stories
"Injustice is a threat to justice everywhere. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Retired attorney Dick Ruth is the architect of the Pro Bono Emeritus Rule, which will allow inactive attorneys to provide pro bono services without having to pay the requisite fees. Maeghan Jones, pro bono coordinator at Legal Aid of East Tennessee, says Ruth provided over 800 hours of volunteer work in 2009. - David Laprad
When attorney Dick Ruth’s wife passed away in 2002, he retired and settled into a comfortable routine of watching The History Channel. A few years later, his oldest son said, “Dad, it’s time to pay up. Go downtown and get busy.”
Hamilton County Herald - David Laprad
Former Chief Justice William M. Barker was recently presented the Equal Access to Justice Award by Legal Aid of East Tennessee and the Young Lawyers Division of the Chattanooga Bar Association. The award cites Barker's leading role in efforts to open the Tennessee court system to low income citizens. Legal Aid is planning to name the award in honor of Justice Barker moving forward.
Two Tennesseans with disabilities are asking a federal court to block cuts in home health care sources that would force them to leave their communities and spend the rest of their lives in a nursing home. The two men, Justin Cochran of Knoxville and Glen Barnhill of Nashville lead active lives in their communities.
“Ben’s” obesity reached a critical level when his doctor diagnosed a variety of related medical issues and he found himself forced to walk with a cane.
“Frances” inherited her home worth $70,000 from her mother; and although the house had no mortgage against it, she owned $4,500 in delinquent property tax.
As the number of families losing their homes to foreclosure increases, a growing number of people turn to
LAET for help.
“Sandy” was a server at a local restaurant, working between 70 and 80 hours per week.
When “Adam” immigrated to the United States, he used an international driver's license; and when it expired, he applied for a Tennessee license.
After helping “Angela” obtain an Order of Protection against “James”, her abusive husband, LAET agreed to represent Angela in obtaining a divorce as well.
Mr. and Mrs. “Brown” were afraid that when they passed away, their three children would not be able to divide their estates, so they decided to give the children their inheritance in advance.