"At the TBA, Jan. 1 marks the beginning of new initiatives," President Sherie Edwards writes in her President's Perspective column. She gives a sampling of what’s upcoming, including legislation, Your Path to Well-Being, the Women in the Profession Committee, and the SOLACE program (Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel—All Concern Encouraged). Edwards also outlines how you can get involved in all these programs.

The TBA this week launched the SOLACE Program to support all members of the legal community, including judges and court personnel, attorneys, law clerks, paralegals, legal secretaries, and their families. Started in 2002 by the Louisiana Bar Association, SOLACE is a voluntary program that matches those in need — due to a death, catastrophic illness, injury or other loss — with those who can help. Several bar associations across the country have adopted this program and the stories of how the legal community is helping are inspiring. In Tennessee, the program will accept requests for financial assistance, clothing, housing, transportation and medical community contacts. Requests should be sent to SOLACE@tnbar.org. The TBA will review requests and share them in TBA Today, allowing volunteers to connect directly with the parties in need. The TBA will not collect donations or facilitate any transactions. The program, which stands for “Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel — All Concern Encouraged,” is one of TBA President Sherie Edwards’ initiatives for 2022. Learn more about the program and how it works at TBA.org/solace.

Efforts to support the legal community in flood-ravaged Louisiana now include a message board where those wanting to help can find requests for assistance from lawyers in need of office space, supplies and furniture. The service compliments a number of sites announced last week that provide ways to donate financially. These include the Louisiana State Bar Association’s SOLACE program, which distributes funding to those in need, the Baton Rouge Bar Association and the Lafayette Bar Association, which are in areas most heavily affected by flooding.

Those interested in helping the legal community in Louisiana now have an easy way to do so. The Louisiana State Bar Association has set up an online resource page to connect lawyers and legal staff impacted by flooding with colleagues who have resources. Monetary donations also may be made through the association’s SOLACE program, which distributes funding to those in need. Donations also may be made directly to the Baton Rouge Bar Association and Lafayette Bar Association, which are in areas most heavily affected by flooding.