Legal Aid of East Tennessee - Knoxville, TN

Championing Equal Justice and Civil Legal Advocacy in East Tennessee

Access to justice should never depend on an individual ability to pay. Legal Aid of East Tennessee provides compassionate civil legal representation to low-income individuals, families, seniors, and victims of abuse throughout Knoxville, Knox County, and twenty-six East Tennessee counties. Established in 1965 and backed by the Legal Services Corporation, the non-profit law firm employs seasoned staff attorneys who advocate in municipal, general sessions, chancery, and appellate courts. When facing eviction, debt collection, or domestic abuse, qualifying residents rely on the firm to enforce their rights. Operating from downtown Knoxville on West Summit Hill Drive, the organization combines direct staff litigation with an expansive pro bono network. If you need to find an attorney to secure an order of protection or urgently need a lawyer to defend against eviction, Legal Aid of East Tennessee stands as a steadfast legal protector.

Core Civil Legal Aid Practice Areas

The firm concentrates resources on essential civil legal challenges that impact personal safety, financial security, and basic shelter:

• Domestic violence lawyers: Protecting survivors of domestic abuse and stalking is the firm highest priority. Staff attorneys represent victims in securing temporary and permanent orders of protection.
• Divorce lawyers: Ending dangerous marital relationships requires decisive legal backing. The firm handles contested and uncontested divorces for domestic violence victims, securing fair marital divisions and safety provisions.
• Child custody lawyers: Safeguarding children from unsafe homes is critical. Attorneys advocate in court to establish custody, secure child support, and enforce parenting plans.
• Residential real estate lawyers: Safe and stable housing is fundamental to family survival. Through its dedicated Eviction Prevention Program, the firm defends tenants against unlawful evictions, unsafe habitability conditions, and predatory lockouts.
• Debt relief lawyers: Low-income consumers often face aggressive collection tactics. The practice defends clients against creditor harassment and advises on bankruptcy protections.
• Power of attorney lawyers: Seniors age sixty and older receive specialized legal assistance, including healthcare directives, durable financial powers of attorney, and last wills to protect against elder abuse and exploitation.
• Workplace discrimination lawyers: Vulnerable workers facing wage theft, unsafe working conditions, or unlawful discrimination receive skilled legal advocacy to enforce state and federal workplace standards.

Sixty Years of Recognized Community Leadership

Over six decades of service, Legal Aid of East Tennessee has earned the highest honors across the Tennessee legal community. The organization has been recognized as a Pro Bono Champion by the Tennessee Supreme Court and maintains active partnerships with the Knoxville Bar Association and the University of Tennessee College of Law. Services are provided completely free of charge to qualifying individuals, with bilingual support available in English and Spanish.

Contact Legal Aid of East Tennessee

If you or someone in your family is facing a serious civil legal crisis and cannot afford private counsel, help is available. When you need to find an attorney to protect your home or require immediate legal representation in family court, contact Legal Aid of East Tennessee in Knoxville today to complete an intake evaluation and learn how their attorneys can assist you.