Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands

R DC

I have called for assistance many times and finally got through to a receptionist, Tina. Tina asked about the issues I faced. I explained the reason I was calling and she said the Legal Aid Society would not be able to assist. I explained the website listed my particular issue, exactly. She then wanted details and was more concerned with gossip than with assistance in a legal matter. This outfit is not here to assist members in this community. And if you need assistance, good luck!. Good luck trying to get through to a person with legal knowledge. They suffer like so many other Legal outfits where there lowest level employees feel like they understand the law because their job is in the arena and not the arena of answering phones or returning messages. Such a sham!

PJ Ehsani

This "Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands" is a sham, disgrace and insults the public who come to get aid. I wouldn't waste your time calling, you're never greeted by anyone, EVER! Always a voicemail to vet you and if you meet whatever requirements they have to allow you into get help. This may come as a surprise to the LAS but, there have been multiple ongoing investigations by various public oversight groups, other government funding agency investigators, public service and organization auditors and concerned citizens after the amount of ongoing reports of inability to access services and help from this agency. The legitimacy of this organization and its true legal aid offerings are in question and documented extensively by the public and those investigating. As a private citizen in need, I tried in vain to get help and qualified in every requirement they have. Never could I even reach an actual lawyer. Never have I made them aware that for almost a year myself and others have been calling them using various phone numbers and information to try to obtain any legal representation or even speak to a lawyer! Not 1 time was any of the team investigating this office able to once speak to a lawyer on any of the covered matters on their website. The same scripted response was always given by their rude and apparently uneducated secretary or call center rep stating they had no room for any new cases, every time. There is a class action suit being drafted I was made aware of recently by one of the public accountability audit investigators. I understand that the suit is representing a wide range of people and entities covering a range of facts based on clear evidence on issues including discrimination, improper use of government funding, lack of transparency failure to perform the duties of the organization, rejected requests for an audit of their entire organization. Audits that would cover all incoming calls and requests, documentation reporting purposes, stats on incoming requests for aid vs the actual amount of aid given, amount of money charged to the tax payer and government for a service that appears non existent, SOP's that govern the actions and accountability. This LAS appears to be operating without impunity or oversight. Their public performance rating is far lower than Google would have you believe. It's subpar at best in serving the community it's intended to serve with the tax dollars we pay them as citizens. I think it would not be beyond reason to see a formal ethics opinion and government request by judicial sources to have the LAS of Middle TN and Cumberlands be removed from their positions in the entirety unless all resign from their roles. That a committee for an internal and external audit to begin. A completely new board and separate advisory board both consisting of over a 50% voting majority of non lawyer and judicial civilians required to form a new organization, a new charter and mission. A new and independent financial accounting and auditing firm be put in place to monitor and report monthly on this organization. That they immediately begin a retrospective audit of the last 5 years of every dollar, every case, every employee and every expense charged to the LAS. It be recommend by the Supreme court of TN, Federal Courts, other stakeholders, TN BAR, ABA, all government funders start a public oversight committee to request new legislation regarding the duties of such legal organizations and the principles and codes of conduct they must follow under the law and constitution and their re-written charter ensuring the inability to turn ANYONE away, strict reporting and compliance measures accountable to the TNBPR. Lookout for the news media outlets reporting in due course from the various different public and private investigations being wrapped up.

Adrenia Frazier

I started not to write this review because one star is too many for this place. My current lawyer D. Kolzowski is always on vacation and constantly mentions that he's working on other cases. He hasn't worked on ours since a year ago. If you are black beware of this place. It is another pitfall of this crooked system. I came to them for help and unfortunately I'm constantly interrogated like I'm the issue while no progress is made. Phone calls and emails are often ignored. when David does find the time to reply he flat out lies about his absence/lack of work on the case. He often wants to meet at the last minute to rush prep before court hearings. It's quite pathetic especially since they speak so highly of him on their website. If you are handling a CUSTODY dispute RUN. They won't help you and then will claim that you are the issue.

Jane Rago

Was cut off of snap June 30th because my husband was retiring. Have not received any retirement money and it’s now August 3rd,2021. Contacted legal aid over a month ago and nothing. No calls returned and they don’t pick up their phone. I now have ovarian and uterine cancer and possible liver cancer. Two people living on under 1300 a month with medical bills piling up. I thought they where supposed to be helpful?