OUR MISSION
Strengthening communities and changing lives through high-quality legal services
Across 26 counties, Legal Aid of East Tennessee provides civil legal representation free of charge for those who represent some of the region’s most vulnerable.
Strengthening communities and changing lives through high-quality legal services
An East Tennessee where justice is a community value, and no one faces a legal problem alone
Since 1965, Legal Aid of East Tennessee has worked to build stronger communities and improve lives, by providing high-quality legal services free of charge to qualifying individuals.
Each year, we serve thousands of your neighbors and help them access vital legal guidance. Yet, there exist thousands more requiring assistance. With an estimated 300,000 eligible individuals within our 26-county catchment area, LAET knows the need is great.
Like many of the legal services programs across the United States charged with advocating for the most vulnerable and underserved, LAET receives funding from the Legal Services Corporation, a federal agency. Thanks to the Legal Services Corporation, 40+ key funding sources, and community support from local bar associations and community members, LAET continues to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence, older adults, families, children, veterans, and those who are economically challenged.
Interested in supporting our mission with your time or money?
Christina Magrans-Tillery, Esq., President
Stephen Barham, Esq., Vice-President
Joanie Sompayrac, J.D., M. Acc., C.P.A., Treasurer
Anna Penland, Esq., Secretary
Marsha Bryant
Aaron Chapman, Esq.
Greg “Boomer” Easterling, Esq.
Beth Ford, Esq.
Nancy Linkous
Jessica Malloy-Thorpe, Esq.
Henry Molter
Karissa Range, Esq.
Jared Smith
LAET provides high-quality civil legal services free of charge for qualifying individuals, including areas such as consumer, housing, family, public benefits, and a range of other miscellaneous matters. We are advocates for children, older adults, families, ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families, and victims of domestic violence. LAET works closely with clients to help navigate legal challenges and seek justice.
LAET provides services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking through offices at four family justice centers in our service area. If you need help in obtaining an order of protection against an abuser, or have other legal issues related to abuse, call the closest family justice center in your area.
If you are experiencing domestic violence and are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
You may seek an Order of Protection, if you are a victim of domestic abuse or violence. Contact your county’s Circuit Court or General Sessions Court Clerk’s office. You should also contact law enforcement.
Knoxville Family Justice Center
(865) 215-6830
400 Harriet Tubman Street
Knoxville, TN 37914
Chattanooga Family Justice Center
(423) 643-7600
5705 Uptain Road
Chattanooga, TN 37411
Johnson City Family Justice Center
(423) 722-3720
196 Montgomery Street, Suite 10
Johnson City, TN 37604
Branch House: The Family Justice Center of Sullivan County
(423) 574-7233
Family Justice Center
313 Foothills Drive
Blountville, TN 37617
LAET’s Mental Health Legal Partnerships pair attorneys with medical professionals to address the legal issues standing in the way of achieving good health outcomes. Often, there exist underlying legal issues which may have an impact on a patient’s health – issues an attorney is best suited to address. LAET is proud to partner with these mental health organizations to better serve the citizens of East Tennessee.
McNabb Center Mental Health Law Partnership
(McNabb patients only | Knox and Blount County adult residents only)
If you are a patient with the McNabb Center and believe you may have a legal problem, please speak with your McNabb Center caregiver who can make a referral to LAET for assistance.
Ballad Medical Legal Partnership – (276) 244-1289
Identify yourself as a Ballad patient, guardian, or caregiver.
(Patients at Bristol, Holston Valley, Mountain City, and Johnson City Medical Centers only)
LAET believes in empowering our communities with the legal information needed to self-navigate through challenges, as well as when to seek outside assistance. That is why LAET provides self-help information on this website, which you can access here or under the “Get Help” tab.
From obtaining orders of protection for victims of domestic violence to preventing homelessness for families, LAET’s efforts help ensure thousands of individuals are given knowledge, advice, and/or representation.
In order to qualify for services, applicants for assistance must be United States citizens or in this country legally.
To begin the application process, please visit the online application, click the
“Get Legal Help Now” button, which you can access here.
This same page contains contact information for all LAET offices. You may call the office closest to you and leave a message to begin the process that way.
Please note: Due to the large volume of calls received each day, it may take up to one to two business days for you to receive a return call.
Additionally, the successful submission of an application does not guarantee assistance, as this application is a screening tool to determine eligibility.
If you need to contact Legal Aid of East Tennessee, you may call any of our offices listed below:
607 W Summit Hill Dr. SW
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 637-0484
Knox, Loudon, and Sevier Counties
Eviction Prevention Program
4450 Walker Blvd., Suite C
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 371-8730
Knox County
100 W Martin Luther King Blvd., Ste 402
Chattanooga, TN 37402
(423) 756-4013
Toll Free (800) 572-7457
Bledsoe, Hamilton, Marion, Rhea, and Sequatchie Counties
311 W. Walnut St.
Johnson City, TN 37604
(423) 928-8311
Toll Free (800) 821-1312
Carter, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington Counties
270 N. Ocoee St.
Cleveland, TN 37311
(423) 303-2266
Toll Free (800) 572-7457
Bradley, Meigs, McMinn, Monroe, and Polk Counties
1001 W. 2nd North St.
Morristown, TN 37814
(423) 587-4850
Toll Free (800) 821-1309
Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, and Jefferson Counties
For abusive, violent and trafficking situations, please contact one of our family justice centers listed below:
Family Justice Center
400 Harriet Tubman
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 215-6830
Family Justice Center
5705 Uptain Road
Chattanooga, TN 37411
(423) 643-7604
Family Justice Center
196 Montgomery St.
Johnson City, TN 37604
(423) 722-3720
Family Justice Center
313 Foothills Dr
Blountville, TN 37617
(423) 574-7233
Informational Purposes Only: The content presented on this website is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. You should not rely on the information provided here as a substitute for seeking professional legal counsel. Always consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.
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