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Several lawyers who practice in this community are coming together Saturday to offer a free legal clinic for anyone needing help.

The event is being presented by the Tennessee Bar Association in conjunction with the Blount County Bar Association. It is an initiative of the Young Lawyer Division, and similar projects are being held all across the state on this day.

The program presenter in Blount County is Justin R. Martin, a lawyer with Kizer & Black Attorneys, PLLC in Maryville and the Young Lawyer Division IV representative of the Tennessee Bar Association.

It is Martin's goal to have between 30 and 40 lawyers available to sit down and talk with participants about their legal concerns, which may involve anything from child support and garnished wages to divorce issues, inheritances and all in between.

"The main point is, there are a lot of people out there who don't have access to legal resources on any basis," Martin said. He said anyone who has tried cold-calling a lawyer's office for advice knows it can be tough to get heard.

On Saturday, those seeking legal advice will sign in and get to work one-on-one with a participating lawyer. The attorneys will have expertise in a number of areas, and hopefully community members will be paired up with someone who has the best knowledge to help with their case, Martin said. That may not be possible in each instance.

Martin said he hopes to see hundreds taking advantage of this free service. The fact it is being held at the Blount County Public Library might make that happen, he believes. It is a site where people can feel more relaxed when talking about their concerns.

"It's not being held at the courthouse or at a church," Martin said. "This is neutral ground where people should feel comfortable coming."

A Spanish interpreter will be on hand to assist those who can't speak English, Martin said. Those who need this service should show up early, he advised. There is a Spanish hot line at Legal Aid that can also be contacted, at 408-6573. The outreach coordinator is Mercedes Strollo.

Wills for Heroes

In addition to this free legal clinic, there will also be a Will for Heroes campaign going on at the same time and location. This will provide free wills to emergency personnel, like firefighters and police officers. This project is being coordinated by Matt Haralson, also an attorney with Kizer & Black.

Participants will be interviewed and a will drafted, Martin said, at no cost to the individual. It will be written based on the answers to a set of standard questions and is a one-size-fits-all type of will.

Martin said this is the first time this project has been done, and it could possibly turn into an annual event. However, he encourages anyone with legal concerns to attend the event.

"The Bar is trying to create a way for people to come down and talk to a live human being instead of a bunch of answering machines," he said. "The lawyers will be right there in front of you, giving their undivided attention. And it's free."

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