Many have heard the words and may have an idea of what they mean. Pro bono is Latin and it means “for the public good.” When Lawyers provide pro bono work it means they provide legal services without pay. Lawyers are encouraged to undertake cases pro bono to help those that cannot afford to hire an attorney. The Tennessee Supreme Court has done an excellent job in making this a banner issue for the judiciary and attorneys across the State, and the numbers of attorneys participating in pro bono representation have increased in recent years.
This allows for individuals to seek particular lawyers when they don’t have the means to do so.
- Personal Injury Lawyer
- Divorce Attorney
- Probate Lawyer
- Family Law Attorney
Fidelis Law is pleased to report that its attorneys are involved in pro bono representation as a way of serving others. Fidelis attorney, Nick Tidwell, founded the 501(c)(3) Christian legal aid ministry, Compassionate Counsel (www.compassionatecounsel.org), which provides legal guidance, advice and in select cases, representation to those unable to afford civil legal services. Many of the Fidelis attorneys volunteer with Compassionate Counsel, and since 2012, Compassionate Counsel has served participants at the Nashville Rescue Mission and Hope Center in Nashville.
Recently, Compassionate Counsel partnered with The Babb Center of First Baptist Church in Hendersonville to start a new clinic north of Nashville in Sumner County. The Sumner County clinic has been met with great enthusiasm by volunteer attorneys, and the number of participants has already increased as the next clinic is scheduled for early September. To date, more than 250 participants have been served through the two clinics, and Nick and the attorneys with Compassionate Counsel are excited to see how God leads and directs the ministry. It is Nick’s and Compassionate Counsel’s hope that by meeting civil legal needs in Jesus’ name the participants see that God loves them and has a plan for their lives.