TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Mar 6, 2026

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) has announced that three new members have joined its board of directors. Judge Kathryn W. “Katy” Olita has joined as an attorney board member and represents the Clarksville service area. Olita has been a circuit court judge in Tennessee’s 19th Judicial District since 2018, presiding over civil cases in counties including Montgomery and Robertson. Carletta L. Merritt has joined as a community board member, also representing the Clarksville service area. Wesley “Wes” Mack Bryant, a managing partner at Parks, Bryant & Snyder PLLC in Columbia, has joined as an attorney board member representing the Columbia office. “We’re proud to welcome Carletta, Wes and Katy to our board of directors,” said DarKenya W. Waller, executive director of LAS. “They bring different but equally valuable backgrounds that will be beneficial in focusing our services on those in Middle Tennessee who need legal assistance the most. We look forward to their input and advocacy and are grateful for their willingness to serve.” Read more about the new board members in a press release.