Pro Bono Lawyers and Attorneys in Tennessee
Where to ask for pro bono legal services or a free attorney in Tennessee, including legal aid programs, who qualifies, and other free or low-cost help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
Where to ask for a free lawyer or attorney
| Pro bono and legal aid programs | The Legal Services Corporation funds three Tennessee programs: Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, and West Tennessee Legal Services. Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands serves 48 counties and runs a Volunteer Lawyers Program; call 800-238-1443 before visiting, because you need an appointment to meet with a lawyer. Help4TN, a program of Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, offers a free online Legal Wellness Checkup and a Free Senior Legal Helpline, 844-435-7486, for people 60 and older regardless of income or assets. LSC: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees ; Help4TN: https://www.help4tn.org/ |
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| Who qualifies | Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands says eligibility depends on income, legal issue, location and current capacity. Its phone number is 1-800-238-1443. |
| Cases covered | Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands lists civil matters in housing, family law and domestic violence, food assistance, health benefits, employment, consumer and money issues including bankruptcy, tax, post-incarceration issues such as expungement and license restoration, and education. It generally does not take criminal cases and directs people to the Public Defender's Office. Other Tennessee programs may differ. |
Other free or low-cost help
| Free legal questions online | Tennessee Free Legal Answers, described by Help4TN as "a virtual legal advice clinic," lets qualifying users post civil questions for free, answered by pro bono attorneys licensed in Tennessee. The page does not describe the qualification criteria. Source: Help4TN |
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| Free legal aid | For low-income Tennesseans, the Board of Professional Responsibility recommends applying to the legal services program in your geographic area and lists Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, West Tennessee Legal Services and Memphis Area Legal Services, plus the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services. LSC lists Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, and West Tennessee Legal Services as its Tennessee grantees. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
| Lawyer referral service | Tennessee has no single statewide bar lawyer referral service on the opened pages; referrals are made by local bar programs. The Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee (which does not itself refer attorneys) lists: Chattanooga Lawyers Information Provider Service (CLIPS), serving Hamilton, Bradley and Rhea Counties, (423) 756-3222; Knoxville Bar Association, serving Knox County, (865) 522-7501; and Memphis Bar Association, serving Shelby County, (901) 527-3573. The Board advises getting a written fee agreement from any attorney you hire at the first conference. |
All legal help in Tennessee · What is a pro bono lawyer? · Pro bono lawyers in other states
Last verified against official sources: November 4, 2026.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.