TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Nov 18, 2022

The downtown Nashville homeless shelter and recovery program Room in the Inn is the site of a free monthly legal clinic known as Project Homeless Experience Legal Protection (H.E.L.P.). The clinic offers assistance on civil matters such as disability benefits, and criminal matters, including expungements. Many struggle to exit homelessness because of issues navigating the legal system. That is where the H.E.L.P. clinic, started by Baker Donelson’s Nashville office 14 years ago, steps in. Shareholder Jonathan Cole says the firm recognized a need among the city’s homeless. “A lot of times there’s a legal issue that is an impediment or contributing factor that’s preventing them from getting more established, on their feet, into more permanent housing,” he said. “If we can remove some of those barriers, it’s a great help to them.” Initially launched in New Orleans, the clinic has now been implemented in over 25 cities. WKRN looks at some of the clients helped by the clinic.