The Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission has adopted its 2016 Strategic Plan for improving access to justice in Tennessee over the next two years. Specific initiatives include adding 10 new court kiosks across the state, developing a statewide communications plan in conjunction with legal aid and access to justice programs, and expanding the Tennessee Faith and Justice Alliance to include representatives from a variety of faiths. In announcing the plan, Access to Justice Commission Chair and past TBA President Marcy Eason said, “The commission appreciates the positive leadership of the Tennessee Supreme Court and is encouraged with our growing access to justice partnerships throughout the state.”

The Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) has inducted two longtime members of the judiciary into its Chattanooga Pro Bono Hall of Fame. Former Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice William M. Barker and retired Hamilton County Chancellor Howell N. Peoples were recognized at a reception and ceremony this week at the group’s Chattanooga office. The pair was selected for the honor because of their early work in the access to justice movement. According to LAET, Barker was the first chief justice of the state Supreme Court to make access to justice a priority for the court, while Peoples was the first legal aid attorney in Chattanooga to be funded through the federal legal aid program.

The University of Tennessee College of Law will host the Appalachian Environmental and Social Justice Conference this weekend in Knoxville. The international, three-day conference will focus on environmental and social justice throughout the Appalachian region. Law school alumna and federal judge Pamela L. Reeves will deliver the Saturday keynote address on “Mediating the Kingston Coal Ash Spill.” Registration is $35 per day or $60 for the entire weekend. The conference is free to all undergraduate and graduate students. Register online here.

The Nashville Conflict Resolution Center and Southern Word will hold an event Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rocketown, 601 4th Ave. S. The spoken word event “Only You(th) Can Stop the Violence” will feature original poetry written and performed by Nashville youth. The center is dedicated to helping individuals and families resolve conflict through mediation and find long-term solutions to relieve overcrowded courts and reduce the burden on taxpayers. For more information, contact Sara Figal, 615-333-8400.

Two legal clinics will take place in Memphis Oct. 22. The Midtown Legal Clinic, sponsored by Memphis Area Legal Services, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, 1750 Union Ave. To volunteer or for questions, email midtownlegalclinic@gmail.com. From noon to 4 p.m., the Community Legal Center, Latino Memphis, Mid-South Immigration Advocates, Catholic Charities of West Tennessee and World Relief team up to host a “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” clinic to help children and young adults apply for the federal program. The clinic will be held at Latino Memphis, 6041 Mt. Moriah Rd. Spanish language skills are not required. Come at noon for a volunteer training session and lunch. Contact Emily Stotts with any questions.

Lawyers interested in learning more about handling TennCare cases are invited to attend a web-based training session hosted by the Tennessee Justice Center. Topics include how the Affordable Care Act affects Tennesseans, navigating the TennCare process and using work-arounds to address complex issues. On Monday, Oct. 24, the webinar will run from 1 to 5 p.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the webinar will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please register for each day if you plan to attend both. Review the program agenda.

A legal clinic to serve homeless individuals will take place Thursday in Memphis as part of Project Homeless Connect, which offers a range of services and resources for the homeless. The clinic will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Cook Convention Center, 255 N. Main St. Lawyers are needed to serve clients during two shifts: (1) 8:30 a.m. to noon and (2) noon to 3:30 p.m. No follow-up representation will be necessary. Lunch and a t-shirt will be provided to volunteers. Contact Chris Martin to volunteer.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee will celebrate Pro Bono Month with a fundraising event Oct. 28 at Ironwoods Studios, 119 Jennings Ave. in Knoxville. The evening’s festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and feature the induction of Doug Blaze into the Donald F. Paine Memorial Pro Bono Hall of Fame. Tickets are $35. Email forgingjustice@laet.org or visit the event website for more information.

On Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. the Memphis Bar Association will hold a Legal Clinic Boot Camp for those who want to learn the basics of how to advise clients in legal clinic settings. The program, which will be held at the MBA office at 145 Court Ave. #301, will highlight the four most common issues that arise with pro bono clients. It also will provide three hours of free CLE credit if attendees agree to take a pro bono case. Learn more or register online. E-mail knewsom@memphisbar.org with any questions.

Lipscomb University's Institute for Law, Justice & Society will host a legal clinic Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 600 28th Ave. N., Nashville 37209. The clinic will be advice-only clinic with no expectation that you take on continuing representation. Each volunteer will receive an informational packet that address common legal clinic questions. Contact Randy Spivey, 615-966-2503, with the institute for more information or to volunteer. See a list of all Celebrate Pro Bono events taking place this month.