The Tennessee Bar Association's Law Student Volunteer Award recognizes the efforts of a student enrolled at or recently graduated from a Tennessee law school who provided dedicated and outstanding pro bono service while working with an organization primarily engaged in providing legal representation to indigent clients.

This year, the TBA honored Sierra Sidoti, a student at the Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law during the TBA Annual Convention in Knoxville. Since the summer of 2024, Sidoti has served as a pro bono law clerk in the Knoxville office of Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET). Her work there has involved clinic coordination, case placement and follow-up, research support, data tracking and reporting, and direct coordination with volunteer attorneys. Sidoti also is a member of the TBA Young Lawyers Division's Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI) class of 2026. DLI is a six-month leadership, professional development and networking program for Tennessee law students.

According to LAET Director of Pro Bono Mary-Frances DeVoe, Sidoti’s most significant contribution occurred during a prolonged staffing gap in 2025, when the pro bono coordinating attorney role remained vacant for approximately six months. During this time, Sidoti stepped up, and despite being a law student, helped maintain continuity of pro bono services by supporting clinics, communicating with volunteer attorneys, assisting with case placement and follow-up, and ensuring that clients did not lose access to services. “Without her involvement, Legal Aid would have struggled to sustain pro bono operations in Knoxville during this critical time,” DeVoe said in nominating Sidoti. “Her reliability, professionalism and willingness to rise to the occasion whenever needed” exceeded what typically is expected of a law clerk. 

DeVoe also noted that when the position finally was filled, Sidoti played a key role in onboarding the new staff member and supporting the transition. Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney Rebecca Spicer-Keller, who was hired to fill the position, says that Sidoti was instrumental in shaping her early days with the organization. “She guided me through our case placement process, shared critical insight about our community partners, and helped introduce me to attorneys who frequently volunteer with Legal Aid. Her institutional knowledge proved essential to ensuring a smooth transition and continuity of services.”

Caitlin Torney, director of career services at the Duncan School of Law, says Sidoti exemplifies academic excellence and is well respected by both faculty and peers. Torney previously worked at LAET and in that role, she observed Sidoti’s work. “At Legal Aid, Sierra consistently took initiative, attending every legal clinic she could and going beyond what was expected. She was exceptional with clients — professional, compassionate, and patient. She was also a natural leader among her fellow summer clerks.”

Writing of her time working as a law clerk with LAET, Sidoti said, “My pro bono clerkship was a formative chapter, blending professional growth with meaningful impact. It reminded me that the law, at its best, serves the general good of the public. As I move forward in my legal journey, I carry the lessons from this period with gratitude, committed to continuing pro bono work whenever possible."