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.

2009 – A Year of Challenges, Opportunities and Successes

Harrison D. McIver2010 will mark the 40th anniversary of Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. as a partner in the quest for equal access and justice for all!

Reflecting on our journey through 2009 will set the stage for our work and activities for 2010. It was a year in which the recessed economy left many of our neighbors in a world of economic hurt. It was a year in which the unemployment rate was the worst in a quarter of a century, when people not only lost their jobs, but also lost their homes. Foreclosures hit record highs in 2009 and predictions for the first half of 2010 don’t paint a brighter picture in the near future for the people of Memphis and Shelby County, Tipton, Fayette and Lauderdale counties.

But all is not bleak at MALS. 2009 brought some great and memorable highlights. Fortunately, that best-of-times list is longer than the worst of times.
read more

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