Legal Aid of East Tennessee has honored two Chattanooga attorneys whose careers reflect a deep commitment to service during its 2025 Charles W. “Buz” Dooley Pro Bono Attorneys Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held Dec. 18 at the statewide organization’s local office.
Attorneys Nadia Oliver and Charles Sereebutra were inducted during the annual event, which also featured remarks from Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Dwight Tarwater, a longtime advocate for access to justice and former Legal Aid volunteer and board member.
While introducing Tarwater, Debra House, executive director of Legal Aid of East Tennessee, called the justice “a true champion of access to justice” and noted that Tarwater’s relationship with Legal Aid extends well beyond the bench.
“Justice Tarwater has a long history of public service, including his work with Legal Aid of East Tennessee as both a volunteer attorney and a member of our board of directors,” she said. “He’s deeply committed to ensuring access to justice, making him a very fitting speaker for this evening.”
Need for private attorneys
In his remarks, Tarwater focused on the continuing need for private attorneys to support legal aid organizations, particularly during a period of national uncertainty.
“As an old trial lawyer, I try to play the room I’m in,” Tarwater said. “I could talk about the increased funding this court has been able to secure for legal aid, but at a time when there is so much uncertainty in Washington, it is more important than ever for private lawyers to step up and help those who are less fortunate.”
Tarwater singled out the local bar for its leadership.
“I’ve found the Chattanooga Bar to be a leader in supporting Legal Aid of Tennessee,” he said. “You have attorneys who volunteer their time and others who contribute financially, and both are critically important. There is a real opportunity to serve here.”
Nadia Oliver recognized
Charli Wyatt, a staff attorney with Legal Aid of East Tennessee, introduced the first inductee of the evening, Nadia Oliver. Wyatt also reflected on the importance of indigent representation to the organization’s mission.
“Many of us at Legal Aid did indigent representation work before coming here, and it’s how we first found our passion for serving the community in this way,” she said. “It remains a vital part of what we do, and we deeply appreciate your support.”
Oliver, a graduate of New England School of Law, has been licensed to practice law in Tennessee only since 2023, making her one of the newest attorneys to be inducted into the Pro Bono Hall of Fame. Wyatt highlighted Oliver’s early commitment to service, which began during law school, where she handled family law cases as a student attorney, including divorces and conservatorships.
Through her work with Legal Aid, Oliver has helped secure the expungement of more than 100 eligible criminal charges for clients.
“The impact of that work on our clients is enormous,” Wyatt said. “Expungements reduce stigma, restore civil rights and help individuals access better employment, housing and educational opportunities.”
Oliver continues to serve vulnerable populations as assistant director of intermediate care facilities at Orange Grove Center, a local nonprofit supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“This honor means a lot to me,” Oliver said. “Both in my work at Orange Grove and in my life as an attorney, I’ve always tried to give a voice to people who can’t advocate for themselves.”
She added, “I hope I’m able to do that well for those individuals, and this recognition is a meaningful affirmation of that work.”
Sereebutra also honored
Russell Fowler, Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s director of litigation, introduced the second inductee, Charles Sereebutra, who underscored the often-overlooked role corporate attorneys can play in pro bono service.
“Charles is an attorney with CBL Properties in Chattanooga, which goes to show that corporate lawyers absolutely have a place in pro bono work,” Fowler said. “Charles has made an extraordinary contribution to helping low-income Tennesseans in this community, far beyond what most attorneys are able to do.”
Sereebutra has served as legal counsel with CBL Properties for more than two decades and holds a Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law, an MBA in finance from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington University in St. Louis.
Sereebutra, in brief remarks, turned the focus back on Legal Aid and its staff.
“Thank you,” he said. “You all are truly inspiring, and it’s a privilege to be able to work alongside you. God bless you, and keep fighting the good fight.”
The Charles W. “Buz” Dooley Pro Bono Attorneys Hall of Fame recognizes attorneys who demonstrate exceptional dedication to serving low-income and vulnerable Tennesseans. With the induction of Oliver and Sereebutra, Legal Aid of East Tennessee added two more names to a growing legacy of service rooted in the belief that access to justice depends on the willingness of attorneys to step forward and serve.