Pro Bono Recognition

Attorneys for Justice

The goal of the Tennessee Supreme Court Pro Bono Recognition Program is to increase the number of attorneys and law offices providing pro bono services to Tennesseans who can't afford the cost of traditional legal services. The program has been in place for 10 years, and it has helped increase awareness and encourage more attorneys and law offices to get involved. The Tennessee Supreme Court honors all attorneys who provide and report at least 50 hours of service annually.

How to Qualify as an Attorney for Justice

In the program, attorneys meeting the Tennessee Supreme Court’s minimum goal of 50 pro bono hours annually are named “Attorneys for Justice”. The program is entirely voluntary and based on self-reporting.

Attorneys may voluntarily report the pro bono work donated in the previous calendar year when they renew their legal license with the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR). Attorneys may also report their pro bono service directly to the Administrative Office of the Courts. Law offices may also apply to be recognized for the pro bono work done by their attorneys.

To be considered for the program, all service must have been provided under the provisions of Rule 6.1 of the Rules of Professional Responsibility, which includes delivery of a substantial portion of legal services without fee or expectation of fee and delivery of legal services at no fee or at a substantially reduced fee to recognized groups and individuals.

Submit Pro Bono Hours to the AOC

2023 Attorneys for Justice Pro Bono Honor Roll

The 2023 Attorneys for Justice Honor Roll is available on the Administrative Office of the Courts website here.

Law Students for Justice

The Court will recognize law students for their demonstrated commitment to providing legal services to those in need. The program seeks to acknowledge any student at a Tennessee law school who performs 50 or more hours of pro bono work during their law school career as a “Law Student for Justice.” The program is similar to the attorney recognition program.

Each school is responsible for verifying students’ participation in the pro bono activities and reporting it to the Administrative Office of the Courts for consideration. Law School Administrators should send the full name, e-mail address, and mailing address for eligible graduates to ATJInfo@tncourts.gov.

Supreme Court Pro Bono Recognition Events

The Tennessee Supreme Court and Access to Justice Commission held the first in-person pro bono recognition events since 2019 in October 2023 in Nashville, TN. The event kicked off with a free CLE for attorneys being recognized for their pro bono work. A ceremony featuring members of the Tennessee Supreme Court and the Access to Justice Commission followed. The keynote speaker was Chief Justice Nathan Hecht from the Texas Supreme Court.

Attorneys in attendance received a certificate signed by the Tennessee Supreme Court. See photos from the event here.

The program was a recommendation by the Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission. The ATJ Commission is tasked with making recommendations to the Supreme Court of projects and programs necessary for enhancing access to justice. For additional information or if you have any questions, please contact Anne-Louise Wirthlin, Director of Access to Justice, at the Administrative Office of the Courts, at ATJInfo@tncourts.gov or 615-741-2687.