First it was free lunches and haircuts — now this Nashville library offers pro bono legal advice

The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to an attorney. So if you cannot afford legal representation the state will provide you with a lawyer.

But that right is only guaranteed in criminal cases, when defendants are charged with a crime. In civil cases — legal disputes between two private parties that include things like personal injury, landlord-tenant disputes, debt collection, divorce or custody matters — there is no legal right to representation.

Now a new clinic is looking to bridge that gap. The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee is partnering with Bass, Berry and Sims law firm to establish a free monthly legal clinic at the Nashville Public Library’s Pruitt Branch.

The branch is located next to the Napier-Sudekum public housing complex in South Nashville. DarKenya Waller, the executive director of the local Legal Aid office, says choice of location was intentional.

“Unfortunately people think that sometimes because you don’t have income you don’t have legal issues,” Waller said. “But the truth of the matter is those are probably the people who have the most.”

Waller says she anticipates the clinic will help residents navigate evictions and domestic violence cases, as well as access benefits, tax refunds and loans. However, there’s no limit on the types of civil cases the clinic can assist with.

It’s not the only resource the Pruitt Branch provides. The monthly clinic will usually be held on Thursdays — the same day that the library offers free lunches and haircuts. Organizers hope this will help improve access to the legal aid.

Neighbors line up on a recent Thursday outside the Nashville Public Library’s Pruitt Branch for their free lunch program.

Branch Manager Raymond Kinzounza has worked at the library for close to a decade. He says that many neighbors take advantage of the services offered there. In fact, as community leaders gathered at Pruitt to celebrate the clinic announcement, dozens had lined up outside to receive lunch. For this reason, Kinzounza anticipates the legal program making a real impact.

“Confidence is built when people know that we have lawyers who can help us,” Kinzounza said. “Because if the lawyers are not there to help them, they don’t have the means to pay for that. I see people coming in here sometimes for clothes, to get haircuts. We give diapers away because people need that. The community needs help.”

The first clinic is set for Dec. 2 (a Tuesday, although subsequent clinics will be held on Thursdays). While it is located at the Pruitt Branch, it is open to any Nashvillians who want to drop by.