About Legal Aid Society · Nashville
The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) is a nonprofit law firm headquartered in Nashville that provides free civil legal help to low-income and vulnerable individuals across 48 counties in Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau. Founded in 1968 as Legal Services of Nashville, Inc., it rebranded to its current name in 2002 and merged in 2025 with Rural Legal Services of Tennessee and Legal Services of South Carolina to form a larger regional legal aid organization.
The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS, las.org) is Tennessee's largest nonprofit law firm, providing free civil legal services to people who cannot afford a lawyer. Headquartered at 1321 Murfreesboro Pike, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37217, the organization serves 48 counties through eight offices stretching from the Nashville metro area across the Cumberland Plateau. Its mission is 'to enforce, advance and defend the legal rights of low income and vulnerable people in order to obtain for them the basic necessities of life.' LAS attorneys and advocates handle cases involving housing (eviction, foreclosure, landlord-tenant), family law and domestic violence, public benefits (SNAP/TennCare), consumer and money issues, education rights, expungement and restoration of rights, employment, and reentry after incarceration. The organization traces its roots to February 9, 1968, when eight members of the Nashville Bar Association incorporated Legal Services of Nashville, Inc., with an OEO grant (one of the last before the 1968 election of Nixon). John Corbitt, a former Assistant District Attorney General, was named the first Executive Director; doors opened in the Stahlman building on February 3, 1969, with Corbitt, R.B.J. Campbelle Jr., and Alf Taylor as the first staff attorneys. The agency has grown over more than five decades into a major regional civil legal services provider, now led by Executive Director DarKenya W. Waller. LAS works closely with community partners — including Catholic Charities of Tennessee, the Nashville Bar Association's pro bono program, and numerous government agencies — to extend its reach and connect clients with financial assistance and social services. A 2020–2021 partnership with Catholic Charities administered over $100,000 in CARES Act rent, mortgage, and utility assistance for Davidson County residents affected by the pandemic.
- In business
- 57 (founded 1968, incorporated February 9, 1968)
- Owner
- Founded by eight members of the Nashville Bar Association in 1968; first Executive Director John Corbitt, former Assistant District Attorney General. Current Executive Director: DarKenya W. Waller.
- Serves
- 48 counties across Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau, including Davidson and Williamson counties (Nashville Area). Eight offices: Nashville, Clarksville, Cookeville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Columbia, Tullahoma, and Oak Ridge.
- Rating
- 3.2 stars on Google for the Clarksville/TN profile (40 reviews per Birdeye); 3.7 stars on Google for the Murfreesboro profile (3 reviews)
Mission and About the Legal Aid Society
The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) is Tennessee's largest nonprofit law firm. Its mission, in its own words, is 'to enforce, advance and defend the legal rights of low income and vulnerable people in order to obtain for them the basic necessities of life.' The agency provides free legal help in certain types of civil (non-criminal) cases to people across 48 counties in Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau who cannot afford a lawyer. LAS works alongside community partners, volunteer lawyers, and supporters to ensure that justice is not limited by income.
- We provide free civil legal help in certain types of civil cases.
- We serve 48 counties across Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands.
- We are open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (Nashville office).
- We believe everyone deserves fairness, dignity, and a chance to be heard — no matter who they are or how much money they have.
History of LAS Nashville
Legal Services of Nashville, Inc., was incorporated on February 9, 1968, by eight members of the Nashville Bar Association, with a grant from the federal Office of Economic Opportunity — one of the final OEO grants issued before the 1968 election of Richard Nixon. John Corbitt, a former Assistant District Attorney General, was named the first Executive Director. Doors opened on February 3, 1969, in the Stahlman building in downtown Nashville, with Corbitt, R.B.J. Campbelle Jr., and Alf Taylor as the first staff attorneys. The agency later opened Gallatin and Murfreesboro offices and renamed itself Legal Services of Nashville and Middle Tennessee; in 2002 it adopted its current name, the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee, and is now known as the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands following a 2025 consolidation with Rural Legal Services of Tennessee and Legal Services of South Carolina.
- 1968: Legal Services of Nashville, Inc. incorporated (Feb. 9, 1968) by eight Nashville Bar Association members with OEO funding.
- 1969: Doors opened Feb. 3, 1969 in the Stahlman building; first lawyers John Corbitt, R.B.J. Campbelle Jr., and Alf Taylor.
- Gallatin and Murfreesboro offices opened; name changed to Legal Services of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
- 2002: Renamed the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee.
- 2025: Consolidation with Rural Legal Services of Tennessee and Legal Services of South Carolina created the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands.
Get Help: How to Apply for Free Legal Help
The best way to get help is to call LAS at 615-244-6610 or toll-free 1-800-238-1443 before coming to the office. Walk-ins cannot meet with a lawyer without an appointment, and in many cases LAS can assist clients by phone or by mail. The agency usually returns calls within 24–48 hours, and because resources are limited it cannot accept every case — even serious or unfair ones — but will refer rejected clients to outside resources.
- Call 615-244-6610 (Nashville) or 1-800-238-1443 before visiting.
- Appointments required; help may be available by phone or by mail.
- Calls typically returned within 24–48 hours; leave a voicemail if you cannot reach a representative.
- Resources are limited — not every case can be accepted, even when the issue is serious.
Legal Issues We Help With
LAS focuses exclusively on civil (non-criminal) legal matters and explicitly does not handle criminal cases — for those, the agency refers clients to their county Public Defender's Office. Practice areas span housing, family safety, education, government benefits, money/tax issues, employment, record-clearing, and reentry.
- Housing — eviction, foreclosure, landlord problems, housing discrimination, instability.
- Family Law & Domestic Violence — divorce, custody, visitation, protection orders, adoption.
- Education Rights — special education, school discipline, enrollment, access to services.
- Health Benefits & Insurance Help — TennCare and other coverage applications, keeping benefits, fixing denials.
- Food Assistance & SNAP Help — applying for SNAP, keeping coverage, fixing denials or cuts.
- Money and Tax Issues — car repair/purchase, debt collection, student loans, bankruptcy, IRS problems.
- Employment — wage collection, benefits, unfair treatment, finding a job with a criminal background.
- Restoration of Rights and Expungements — cleaning up criminal records.
- Criminal Cases — not handled; clients are referred to the local Public Defender's Office.
Office Locations and the Counties We Serve
LAS operates eight offices covering 48 counties across Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau. The Nashville Area Office — the headquarters — serves Davidson and Williamson counties from 1321 Murfreesboro Pike, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37217 (8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Mon–Fri). Other offices are located in Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Cookeville, Gallatin, Columbia, Tullahoma, and Oak Ridge, with most open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
- Nashville Area: 1321 Murfreesboro Pike, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37217 — Davidson and Williamson counties.
- Clarksville: 109 South Third Street, Clarksville, TN 37040 — Stewart, Montgomery, Robertson, Houston, Dickson, Cheatham, Humphreys.
- Murfreesboro: 526 N Walnut St #2852, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 — Rutherford region.
- Additional offices in Cookeville, Gallatin, Columbia, Tullahoma, and Oak Ridge.
- Phone for most offices: 615-244-6610 or 1-800-238-1443.
Self-Help Resources and Free Legal Videos
Because LAS cannot take every case, the agency publishes free self-help resources and educational videos that explain common legal problems (housing, family law, benefits, expungement, consumer issues) and the rights of Tennessee residents. These videos are available directly on the LAS website and on its YouTube channel.
- Free Legal Help Videos covering common legal topics.
- Resources page with links to other organizations that may be able to help.
- YouTube channel housing all educational videos.
Partnerships and Community Coalitions
LAS works alongside a wide network of community partners. A longstanding collaboration with Catholic Charities of Tennessee produced a 2020–2021 CARES Act program that disbursed over $100,000 in rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to Davidson County residents affected by COVID-19, and the two organizations continue to co-host community events such as the 2025 Baby Fair in Columbia. LAS is also a member of The Branch of Nashville's Coalition for Better Futures — alongside Catholic Charities Diocese of Nashville, Belmont University, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Siloam Health Clinic, Metro Nashville Government, and others — focused on basic needs, housing, education, transportation, and health in Southeast Nashville.
- Catholic Charities of Tennessee — joint CARES Act emergency rental/utility assistance and Baby Fair co-host.
- Nashville Pro Bono Program — monthly clinic at Woodbine Community Center with Catholic Charities.
- Domestic Violence Division, Metro Nashville Police Department — co-referrals for victims.
- Center for Budget and Policy Priorities — collaboration on SNAP and Families First policy.
- Disability Law & Advocacy Center of Tennessee — joint advocacy on disability employment issues.
- The Branch of Nashville Coalition for Better Futures.
Contact the Legal Aid Society
Walk-in legal help is not available without an appointment. The agency strongly recommends calling before visiting so that staff can pre-screen the matter and, where possible, assist by phone or mail. Toll-free intake is available statewide via 1-800-238-1443.
- Nashville phone: 615-244-6610.
- Toll-free intake: 1-800-238-1443.
- Nashville address: 1321 Murfreesboro Pike, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37217.
- Website: https://www.las.org/.
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday (Nashville office).