The Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) honored two from Legal Aid of East Tennessee with 2015 Access to Justice Awards. The awards, given yesterday at annual Equal Justice University, recognize legal professionals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the cause of expanding access to civil legal services.
As reported in the Hamilton County Herald in the Aug. 14 issue, David R. Yoder, Executive Director of Legal Aid of East Tennessee, received the Janice M. Holder Award, named for retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Janice Holder. The Holder Award honors an individual who has advanced the quality of justice statewide by ensuring that the legal system is open and available to all. Mr. Yoder was recognized for “his many contributions to increasing access to justice in Tennessee, especially in the areas of domestic violence advocacy and medical-legal partnerships.”
“It is very humbling to be recognized for doing something that has been so professionally and personally rewarding,” said Mr. Yoder. “Receiving the Janice M. Holder Award is a special honor in light of the tremendous accomplishments and leadership provided by Justice Holder.”
Robert Downs, a staff attorney with Legal Aid of East Tennessee, received the New Advocate of the Year Award. This award recognizes an advocate who has excelled within his or her first five years in public interest law. He was honored for “his creative and effective advocacy efforts on behalf of victims of domestic violence in the Knoxville area.”
For more information, contact LAET’s Knoxville office at (865) 637-0484.