Knoxville Bar Association Knoxville Tennessee

Legal Resources Guide
Finding Legal Assistance in Knoxville
A Public Service of the Knoxville Bar Association

The Lawyer Referral & Information Service is a public service of the Knoxville Bar Association. The Service meets the standards set by the Tennessee Supreme Court which governs intermediary organizations, including lawyer advertising cooperatives, lawyer referral services, prepaid legal service providers or similar organizations providing attorney referrals. It has been designed to assist you in finding the available resources to help you solve your legal problem. Working in most areas of the law, our staff will obtain specific information from you regarding your case and will then refer you to an attorney experienced and suited to your needs or an appropriate community service agency to assist you. The consultation with the attorney is provided FREE of charge.

The Knoxville Bar Association Lawyer Referral & Information Service is open Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 12:00 noon and 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

LawLine OnLine is a free public service program of the Knoxville Bar Association designed to help members of the community understand the law by means of information in easy-to-understand language available on the Internet.

You will find a series of messages which aid in understanding common legal problems, recognizing potential legal problems and understanding how the justice system works. Information on where to go if further help will be needed is also provided. The messages are written in a straight forward, easy-to-understand manner using everyday language. Although it is not intended to replace the advice of an attorney or to provide specific legal advice, the service provides general information on over 70 topics.

The speakers from the Knoxville Bar Association Lawyer Referral & Information Service won’t be outspoken. That is, they intend to be second to none when it comes to speaking out about the law. Attorneys experienced in a wide range of practice areas will speak to your group or organization without charge on the subject of your choice.

You may call the Lawyer Referral & Information Service at 522-7501 or click on the Speakers Bureau link to view a sample list of topics. Four weeks advance notice will ensure our ability to provide you with an attorney who is experienced in your area of interest.

The Speakers Bureau is offered as a free public service of the KBA Lawyer Referral & Information Service. Presentations may be scheduled at local schools, colleges, community and civic clubs, church organizations and businesses for presentations to groups with 10 or more attendees.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee

637-0484

502 South Gay Street, Suite 404, Knoxville TN 37902

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) is a non-profit law firm serving low-income clients with civil legal needs. Types of cases taken include: public benefits, evictions and housing (both public and private), consumer, public benefits, employment, health issues, family law and senior citizen’s issues. Clients generally must meet income and asset guidelines to be eligible for services. Senior citizens and persons with domestic violence problems may receive help regardless of income. Since the demand is far greater than the resources available, the decisions on case acceptance also depend upon priorities set by LAET, in consultation with the community.

For those with a legal problem, telephone intake lines are open on Monday-Friday starting at 9:00 a.m. Only a limited number of cases can be handled each day, so it is best to call as soon after 9:00 a.m. as possible.

The Pro Bono Project (PBP) is operated by Legal Aid in cooperation with the bar associations of Knox, Blount, Loudon and Sevier counties to support the legal community in fulfilling its mission to provide every person with effective access to the justice system. Cases that LAET is unable to take because of limited resources can often be handled by members of the private bar who volunteer their services through the PBP. Pro Bono Project clients are subject to the same financial-eligibility requirements as Legal Aid clients.

The Project also conducts the Saturday Bar Clinic. Volunteer lawyers, law students, and paralegal students meet with clients at Legal Aid’s office on two Saturdays each month to assist clients whose legal problems can be resolved with advice and brief services. To make an appointment for Saturday Bar, call the Pro Bono Project or Legal Aid.

500 West Church Avenue, Knoxville TN 37902

Lawson McGhee Public Library is open to the general public. Residents of Knox County may register free of charge for a library card upon presentation of identification reflecting the applicant's name and address. Library cardholders may check books out for three weeks and use library computers to access Internet resources. Photocopiers are available at a cost of .15 per page and computer printers at a cost of .05 per page for black and white, .25 per page for color.

Phone: 215-5750    General Information
          215-8700    Reference

Hours: Monday-Thursday   9:00 A.M.- 8:30 P.M.
Friday                            9:00 A.M.- 5:30 P.M.
Saturday                       12:00 P.M.- 5:00 P.M.
Sunday                          1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Legal collection description:
Some available in paper; some online

Tennessee Code Annotated, United States Code, Knoxville City/County Codes and Ordinances
Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, Congressional Record
Federal bills in progress are available through Thomas and GPO Access Internet services, in addition to bills, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, and the Congressional Record.
General assembly bills, TN laws in progress and Tennessee State Rules and regulations are available over the internet.
Legal encyclopedias and dictionaries
Legal forms for reproduction and modification according to existing statutes
Self-help legal books on popular topics such as divorce, incorporating a business, wills & probate and landlord-tenant disputes. Many of these titles are available to check out.
IRS tax forms
Pamphlets

Restrictions:

Staff can provide some assistance for beginning legal research but cannot answer legal questions.
Some titles, e.g. Tennessee Code Annotated, U.S. Code, are for reference use in the library only.

The Knox County Governmental Law Library is located on the Main Level of the City-County Building. The Law Library provides immediate access to legal information for the Knox County courts, judges, elected officials, government employees, the general public and local attorneys. Memberships are available.

The library shelves contain a comprehensive collection of law books, codes, treatises, periodicals and case reporters focused primarily on Tennessee state and local government, but including the federal code and case reporters. Legal encyclopedias and law treatises cover issues, such as Uniform Commercial Code, bankruptcy, wills and estates, and criminal and civil law procedures. Additional information is provided to some publications and documents by access to internet and online subscriptions.

The library is governed by the Knox County Governmental Library Commission and administered by a head paralegal-librarian and a part-time assistant.

Library hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday - 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
LIBRARY PHONE 865-215-2368

The Knox County Governmental Law Library is a membership library that requires users to acquire a daily users pass or purchase yearly membership cards.

Library user-fee card rates are based on the number of attorneys or individuals in a law firm or entity. The user-fee cards are valid from July 1st to June 30th. Government workers and public officials are exempt from membership charges

Current rates for the Knox County Governmental user-fee cards are as follows:
$ 30.00 - sole practitioners or law firms made up exclusively of people who have been
licensed to practice law less than three years.
$100.00 - for one attorney or individual.
$180.00 - for law firms or entities containing two to five attorneys or individuals.
$270.00 - for law firms or entities containing six to ten attorneys or individuals.
$355.00 - for law firms or entities exceeding eleven attorneys or individuals.

Persons who desire less frequent use of the library may purchase a $5.00 daily user-fee pass.

LIBRARY SERVICES
Services available to members of the Knox County Governmental Law Library include use of a coin operated or code accessed copying machine. Charges are 15 cents per page. Members are allowed circulation of most legal publications housed there as well as any needed assistance with research and location of those materials by available staff.

The Knox County Governmental Library also offers access to the following online services:
Westlaw, Loislaw, and the internet. The Library also contains several legal publications on state and federal case law. Searches can be done by request. For additional information concerning access to library software please contact the head librarian.

1505 West Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville TN 37996-1800

The University of Tennessee Law Library is the most comprehensive law library in the Knox County area. It is used primarily by students and local attorneys, but the general public is welcome to use its facilities. Photocopies and printing from online databases are available at a cost of .10 per page.

Normal Hours:   Monday-Thursday    7:30 A.M.- 11:00 P.M.
                     Friday                    7:30 A.M.- 8:00 P.M.
                     Saturday                12 Noon - 5:00 P.M.
                     Sunday                  12 Noon - 10:00 P.M.

Website: www.law.utk.edu/library

Collection description:

Tennessee Code Annotated, United States Code, and all states' statutes
Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, Congressional Record
Tennessee Public Acts
Selection of Westlaw databases (including Federal and State laws, statues and regulations)
and Key Cite
Legal encyclopedias, dictionaries, treatises
Tennessee Digest, Tennessee Jurisprudence
Tennessee Bar Journal
Legal periodicals
Practice handbooks
Legal and procedural forms for photocopying and modification according to
existing statutes
Case reporters (federal and state judicial opinions of appellate court cases)
Many other reference materials

Restrictions:

Staff can provide some assistance for beginning legal research but cannot answer legal questions.

Only Tennessee attorneys and University of Tennessee students may check books out.

General Sessions Courts, Civil Division, is a place where small disputes can be settled without formal courtroom procedures. Many cases in Civil Sessions Court do not require an attorney. Before you decide to represent yourself, you must determine how complicated your case is and if you feel confident that you can explain it to the judge.

General Sessions Court is a court of limited and special jurisdiction. The Judges of the five Divisions of Sessions Court have jurisdiction over all civil cases (exclusive of divorce and worker’s compensation) and all criminal offenses. The General Sessions Court's civil jurisdiction includes civil lawsuits up to $25,000.00 except for Actions to Recover Personal Property where possession and alternative money judgments up to $25,000.00 may be awarded. The General Sessions Courts also have original and unlimited jurisdiction over forcible entry and detainer warrants involving landlord-tenant disputes and non-payment of rent.

The General Sessions Courts provide another method to assist you in resolving your dispute. The Court Sanctioned Mediation Program gives the public an opportunity to settle their disputes through the process of mediation after initiating formal legal action, but before coming to trial. The program covers consumer disputes, actions to recover personal property, civil wrongs (torts), and landlord and tenant disputes. There is no cost to you for this service.

Monday - Wednesday 9:00 A.M. until the docket is completed
Thursday and Friday are reserved for special contested dockets.

· Typical cases are for return of rent deposits, disputed repair bills, unpaid bills, possession of real property or return of personal property.

· Plaintiff (person bringing suit) must provide the defendant's (person being sued) complete address.

Court clerks and mediators cannot provide legal advice.
The transaction that is the subject of the litigation must have taken place in Knox County.

Fees:
$102.00 filing fee (if one defendant) for civil warrants. Costs vary for other actions.

1505 W. Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville TN 37996

Third year law students represent clients under the supervision of faculty members. Clients must be below a certain income level, and usually are appointed by the courts or referred by Legal Aid of East Tennessee. Some cases are accepted through walk-ins and telephone calls if the case has sufficient educational merit for students.

The Legal Clinic has been operating for over 60 years and is the oldest continually operating law school clinic in the country. The clinic is located in the the Charles Henderson Miller Clinical Center named in honor of Professor Miller, who founded the Legal Clinic in 1947. The UT College of Law was the recipient of the 1996 Emil Gumpert Award for Excellence in Teaching Trial Advocacy presented by the American College of Trial Lawyers. Among the criteria considered by the ACTL were UT's clinical programs.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Typical cases: Housing, Juvenile Criminal, Adult Criminal and Unemployment

Restrictions vary from case to case. Income level, county of residence, and educational merits of the case may be taken into account.

The Community Mediation Center provides conflict resolution services to all members of our community. The facilitative mediation approach used by CMC allows the parties reach their own best solution to disputes. The Center uses highly trained volunteer co-mediators to empower the participants to create a lasting solution and prevent future problems. CMC mediates with parties who have attorneys and those who do not, and maintains a listing of Rule 31 mediators. Services are provided at no cost for most of the court-referred cases, and at low or no cost for non-court referrals.

Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Mediations are scheduled for times where the parties are available including evenings and weekends.

Types of Issues Referred to Mediation: Family Disputes, Neighborhood, Juvenile Issues, Workplace, Truancy, Family Issues, Co-parenting and visitation, DCS Dependency/foster care, Landlord/tenant, and Divorce.

The Legal Aid Society provides free legal assistance for low-income individuals who live in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Roane, Scott and Union counties.

To apply for services, call and provide information about your income, geographic location, and case. An attorney will then return your call.

Typical Cases:
                     Housing               Discrimination
                     Health care          Spousal Abuse
                     Public benefits      Employment
                     Consumer            Education
                     Utility                  Federal Income Tax disputes

We accept these types of cases: (1) Orders of Protection for the victims of domestic violence, (2) divorces for the victims of domestic violence, (3) create Parenting Plans for unmarried parents in agreement without domestic violence that have been accepted to the program through Juvenile Court, (4) provide limited legal assistance for parties to help them better represent themselves in Family Law cases (i.e. Visitation, Custody, Divorce, etc.), and (5) some small general consumer cases.

We offer an online self-help divorce program on our website, www.selegal.org, for those willing to represent themselves in their divorce. This program is available to all Tennessee residents.

For other types of civil cases, contact our sister organization, Legal Aid of East Tennessee.

We do not represent persons charged with or convicted of crimes. Please contact the Public Defender in the county where the criminal case is pending or was conducted.

We are funded by the State of Tennessee and the Federal Government through our grants to operate in the following counties but are limited to certain types of cases in some counties. The listing is below:

Bledsoe - Orders of Protection (no divorces)
Bradley - Orders of Protection and Divorces with domestic violence
Hamilton - Divorces with domestic violence and Orders of Protection, Parenting Plans for unmarried parents without domestic violence, and Pro Se assistance; Also some small general consumer issues
McMinn - Orders of Protection and Divorces with domestic violence
Marion - Orders of Protection (no divorces)
Meigs - Orders of Protection (no divorces)
Monroe - Orders of Protection (no divorces)
Polk - Orders of Protection (no divorces)
Rhea - Orders of Protection (no divorces)
Sequatchie - Orders of Protection (no divorces)

Legal Assistance for the Elderly Program, a division of the
East Tennessee Human Resource Agency, Inc.
9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite D-100, Knoxville, TN 37923
Phone: (865) 691-2551. Fax: (865) 531-7216

Legal Assistance for the Elderly is a federally funded program providing legal representation to qualified senior citizens in the East Tennessee area. Persons age 60 and older may be eligible if they live within one of the designated counties of Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union. For services in Knox County please contact Legal Aid of East Tennessee. Aged persons may be eligible for services regardless of household income or assets. There are no fees charged to clients for services.

Legal services may be provided for persons age 60 or older in the counties listed above and whose cases fall within state-determined priority areas including: