Legal Aid of East Tennessee

Practice Areas

About Legal Aid of East Tennessee

From the firm’s website

Attorneys

• Mary Frances DeVoe — Director of the Pro Bono Project
• Robert Downs, Esq. — Knoxville Managing Attorney
• Amanda Simpson, Esq. — Johnson City Managing Attorney
• Jeffrey Armstrong, Esq. — Morristown Managing Attorney
• Chloe Kennedy, Esq. — Board of Directors
• Aaron J. Chapman, Esq. — Board of Directors
• Emily Morley, Esq. — Board of Directors
• Greg "Boomer" Easterling, Esq. — Board of Directors
• Beth Ford, Esq. — Board of Directors
• Jared Smith, Esq. — Board of Directors
• Christina Magrans-Tillery, Esq. — President
• Steve Barham, Esq. — Vice-President

Services listed

Protecting Your Finances & Identity, Keeping Your Family Safe, Healthy, & Happy, Protecting Yourself From Domestic Violence, Housing Justice & Protecting Your Property, Protecting & Serving Older Adults, Services to Survivors of Abuse, Help Getting Orders of Protection, Mental Health Legal Support, Community Legal Education

Languages

English

Founded

1965

Consultations

Free initial consultation

Fees

LAET does not charge the client for services.

Offices

• 607 W Summit Hill Dr. SW Knoxville, TN 37902
• 4450 Walker Blvd., Suite C Knoxville, TN 37917
• 100 W Martin Luther King Blvd., Ste 402 Chattanooga, TN 37402
• 270 N Ocoee St. Cleveland, TN 37311
• 307 Ellis Ave. Maryville, TN 37804

Awards & recognition

• Volunteer of the Year by the Chattanooga Bar Association in 2023

Source: laet.org · checked October 10, 2026. Lawyers Near Me hasn’t independently verified these details.

Hours of Operation

Monday

8:30 am–5 pm

Tuesday

8:30 am–5 pm

Wednesday

8:30 am–5 pm

Thursday

8:30 am–5 pm

Friday

8:30 am–5 pm

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Photos

Details & Amenities

Related Videos

• Bethany· via Google

  The process was super easy. A paralegal called me after my intake and went into greater detail about my case. His name was Evan and he was amazing. An attorney got assigned to my case, and his name was Hayden Short. Hayden listened to me, and we developed a game plan. I submitted all the required paperwork, and he fulfilled his part. He went out of his way to meet my needs as a client. We went to petition the court, and the judge immediately signed the order. After years apart, I now have full custody of my daughter back, and I could not have done it without Evan, Hayden, and all the people behind the scenes at Legal Aid of Tennessee. Thank you so much for everything!

  a year ago
• Kerrie Crawford· via Google

  Got forbid that your SS check did not come and is undergoing an investigation. And God forbid that your spouse has a job. Because they consider the LOST SS CHECK part of your income to defy you as over-income so THEY WILL NOT HELP YOU!! So...thanks for helping us be homeless within the week!! I appreciate all that you did to help put us out of our home!!

  a year ago
• Chelsey Clark· via Google

  I called them did the prescreen. No one called me back even though i called them every day. When they finally called back 2 days before my court date. She told me that she didnt look at my actual date and sidnt realize the date. Her one job. Said they dont have enough time to prepare. If I could have it rescheduled for 2 or 3 weeks. But I'm literally moving in 2 weeks out of state. Terrible communication. Terrible company. Do not recommend if you want anything done to help you in any way. Poor excuse for a business.

  a year ago
• Susie Hensley· via Google

  Melanie Henry was extremely rude and dismissive. The entire time we spoke it felt like she truly hated me. I have never in my life felt this way. It was really damaging as a victim to be victimized again by Melanie Henry. This will discourage me from seeking help in the future.

  10 months ago
• Debbie Adams· via Google

  They helped my tenant manipulate the system and tell lies , which made me, the homeowner homeless and now one year later im in foreclosure but they can't help me. Lesson learned is that it's better to lie and manipulate than be honest and hardworking

  11 months ago
• Andres· via Google

  My experience with Legal Aid of East Tennessee was extremely disappointing and honestly shocking. I reached out for help as a domestic violence survivor with an upcoming Order to Show Cause hearing and urgent safety concerns. Instead of receiving support, I was bounced around, minimized, and ultimately denied in a way that felt unprofessional and dismissive. First, I wasn't even notified directly by the staff member who did my intake. Instead, someone else called me the day after Thanksgiving, on Black Friday — when everything is closed and no follow-up is possible — just to deny my case. The explanation I got was vague and made no sense ("your case isn't criminal so we're not prioritizing it"), even though domestic violence restraining orders fall squarely within the kind of cases Legal Aid and VAWA are supposed to support. What bothered me even more was the tone of the call. When I described the coercive control, threats, and the danger I'm dealing with, parts of the response sounded more like casual banter or commentary, not trauma-informed advocacy. It felt like my situation — which involves real threats and an interstate custody crisis — was being minimized or treated like gossip. I worked with Brittney Byrd. To make things worse, I was referred to the UT Law Clinic as a possible option, but the opposing party's attorney is already getting representation from someone affiliated with that program. That is a direct conflict of interest and not a viable option. Being sent in circles like that is not just unhelpful — it's dangerous. Meanwhile, the opposing party was able to obtain free counsel quickly, while I continue to be told to "try somewhere else." As a survivor who has done everything right — documented everything, reached out early, complied with every process — it feels like I fell through the cracks simply because my case is complicated and requires real attention. I truly hope Legal Aid of East Tennessee reevaluates how they handle domestic-violence

  10 months ago
• Asia Lawson· via Google

  As a person on disability, it's very extremely hard for people to understand but when the "Apartment staff wanna me to move out" of my apartment just because my disability they said it doesn't require it or the standards. I reached out to "legal aid" and Miss Daisy helped me with it so much. They withdrew my request to move so as of today I'm still in apartment that I've been in for eight years still. Thank you Ms. Daisy and Thank you Jesus

  8 months ago
• James· via Google

  Emily demonstrated exceptional compassion and professionalism throughout the entire process. I am incredibly grateful to her and the staff for their excellent service.

  4 months ago