Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.
Serving the Tennessee counties of Shelby, Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton.
Hablas Espanol? Póngase en contacto con nosotros en el (901) 523-8822.
Mals 40th

Welcome to Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.’s Website
A Case For Your Support!

Harrison D. McIverMemphis Area Legal Services, Inc. (MALS) entered its fifth decade with the same commitment and determination that inspired 30 members of the legal profession in the wake of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death to coalesce around a shared vision to establish an organization whose single purpose was to provide a means by which the legal problems of the poor could be addressed.

Today, MALS continues that tradition of “excellence in legal advocacy,” as a non-profit, public service law firm committed to provide the highest quality legal assistance possible to the most vulnerable residents of our community. 

Even with a dedicated staff, it cannot meet the overwhelming demand for legal assistance today. The challenges are more acute because the widening of the “justice gap” is exacerbated by the economic woes of our time. The recent census reveals that more than 57 million individuals live at or below the poverty line, representing more than a 14 million increase since the 2000 Decennial Census.

The 2011 Campaign for Equal Justice exceeded its $325,000 goal and reached an unprecedented milestone of raising over $350,000.We thank George “Buck” Lewis and the Campaign Cabinet for its tireless efforts.  Even that amount is not enough. We had to cut expenses, predictably, in the personnel area. We are down 10.5 full-time equivalent positions caused by a loss of over $300,000 entering 2012 fiscal year, largely due to nearly a 20% reduction in federal funding. Consequently, your support in 2012 through your volunteerism (pro bono) and gifts are more crucial today than ever.

What can you do?  Please volunteer your time willingly and generously contribute to the campaign. To give a tax-deductible gift, select “Contribute Now” at the top of the page.

Again, welcome to our website.  We hope you find it informative and leave with a better understanding of the various activities and important services we provide our community.
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Volunteer Opportunities

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

MALS encourages and celebrates pro bono involvement through a number of ways and publicly acknowledges pro bono contributions at two annual recognition events.  During Law Week, a reception is co-sponsored with the Memphis Bar Association to honor and recognize volunteer attorneys and law firms for their voluntary activities.  At the Memphis Bar Association’s Annual Meeting, the J. Michael Cody Award is presented to the most outstanding Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year.

When the Tennessee Bar Association publishes its annual Pro Bono Honor Roll, MALS volunteers’ names are included in the listing as well as in the Tennessee Bar Association Access to Justice newsletter, the Volunteer Attorney.  MALS also nominates at least one volunteer attorney for the annual Tennessee Bar Association Pro Bono Attorney of the Year award presented during the Mid-Year TBA meeting. MALS currently publishes a quarterly e-newsletter that spotlights volunteer contributions and among other things lists the most recent and significant pro bono case completed.

MALS sponsors at least one CLE program quarterly that is free for volunteer attorneys plus in partnership with the Memphis Bar Association provides a $25.00 coupon to volunteers who complete a case.  The coupon can be used by the bearer to attend a variety of Memphis Bar Association events.

Additionally, MALS reports bi-annually to the CLE Commission the number of hours donated by volunteer attorneys.
MALS