Tennessee lawyers will offer free legal services to those unable to afford a lawyer throughout the month of October as part of the Celebrate Pro Bono initiative. Now in its fifth year, the initiative brings together bar associations, law schools, law firms, legal services providers and individual lawyers to provide needed services, increase awareness about the justice gap and celebrate the good work of Tennessee lawyers. More than 60 events -- with more to come -- are planned across the state. Visit the Access to Justice Committee's Celebrate Pro Bono page to download event information.

Celebrate Pro Bono Month kicks off this week, bringing attention to the thousands of hours of free legal advice Tennessee lawyers provide every year. Now in its fifth year, the Tennessee Bar Association’s Celebrate Pro Bono Initiative brings together bar associations, law schools, law firms, legal services providers and individual lawyers to offer free services to those unable to afford a lawyer. This year's celebration is expected to involve more than 300 volunteers — including lawyers, law students, paralegals and language interpreters — in more than 60 events and activities across the state. The effort is also a part of a national pro bono campaign.

Every year, Tennessee lawyers help thousands of clients by providing free legal advice. This assistance is especially celebrated and emphasized throughout the month of October, as part of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Celebrate Pro Bono Initiative. Now in its fifth year, the initiative brings together bar associations, law schools, law firms, legal services providers and individual lawyers to offer free services to those unable to afford a lawyer. This year's celebration is expected to involve more than 300 volunteers — including lawyers, law students, paralegals and language interpreters — in dozens of events and activities across the state. The effort is part of a national pro bono push.

The University of Tennessee College of Law Pro Bono program hosted its second annual Pro Bono Carnival to help fund travel for students wishing to participate in Alternative Spring Break pro bono activities, providing much needed access to justice to the underserved. The carnival included food for sale, a silent auction, and the opportunity for students, faculty and staff to bid for the chance to pie their favorite professor. View video and pictures from the event.

Celebrate Pro Bono Month wraps up with a final event in Nashville Wednesday. Lawyers with Bass Berry & Sims PLC join forces with the Nashville Pro Bono Program and students with the Vanderbilt University Law School Legal Aid Society to help low income clients with landlord/tenant disputes. The clinic will run from 10 a.m. to noon at Legal Aid, 300 Deaderick St. Lawyers interested in volunteering should call Lucinda Smith at (615) 780- 7127. Clients seeking assistance should call (615) 244-6610.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee will host a free CLE Tuesday in Cleveland on the topic of James Madison and the Constitution. The seminar will take place at 1075 Blythe Avenue SE, Suite 8, Cleveland 37311. Contact Charlie McDaniel for details.

Law firms in East Tennessee are invited to an informational meeting to learn more about the "Pillar Law Firm Model" -- a program designed to increase firm involvement in pro bono services. Attendees will hear from Terry Woods, director of the Pro Bono Project for Legal Aid of East Tennessee; Tennessee Access to Justice Commission Chair Buck Lewis; and representatives from firms who are participating in the program. The event will be held tomorrow from 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the University of Tennessee College of Law, Room 237, 1505 W. Cumberland Ave. It is being sponsored by the court's Access to Justice Commission and the Knoxville Bar Association’s Access to Justice Committee. For details, contact Wynne du Mariau Caffey.

Celebrate Pro Bono events continue Tuesday with a seminar in Nashville designed to help lawyers avoid costly mistakes when handling real property issues in divorce, elder law and probate cases. The session, co-hosted by the Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission and Vanderbilt University Law School, will run from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and from 2:15 to 4:30 p.m. The event will take place in the school’s Flynn Auditorium, 131 21st Ave. South, Nashville 37203. Contact Kelly Murray for details.

Lawyers in Nashville will participate in two pro bono clinics tomorrow. The first will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Legal Aid Society, 300 Deaderick St. Lawyers interested in volunteering should contact Lucinda Smith at (615) 780- 7127. Clients should call (615) 244-6610 for details. The second clinic, sponsored by Justice for Our Neighbors, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and Connexion Americas, is by appointment only. Contact Adrienne Schlichtemeir at adrienne.tnjfon@gmail.com for details.

See all events planned for Celebrate Pro Bono Month

Lawyers in Memphis will participate in two pro bono events tomorrow. The first, which will run 9 to 11:30 a.m., will take place in the parking lot of the Lewis Senior Citizens Center, 1188 North Pkwy. In case of rain, the clinic will move to the Community Bible Church at 601 North Bellevue. The second event, which also will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m., will take place at Greenwood CME Church, 3311 Kimball Ave. This program is a community seminar featuring various attorneys and paralegals speaking on a variety of legal topics. Contact Nakeshia Hawkins at n.hawkins@law.fcsl.edu for more information.