Law Firms Partner with Napier-Sudekum Residents to Encourage Broader Investment and Expand Legal Access
Nashville, Tenn. (October 23, 2025) — Bass, Berry & Sims PLC and nonprofit Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands today announced a new collaborative initiative aimed at expanding legal support and community investment in South Nashville's Napier-Sudekum neighborhood and the surrounding 37210 zip code. The initiative was launched with a Leadership Cabinet financial gift from Bass, Berry & Sims to Legal Aid Society.
Details about the Initiative and First Clinic
The 37210 zip code includes the South Nashville neighborhoods of Woodbine, Glencliff, Briley and Elm Hill. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, 27.1% of residents in these areas live below the poverty line, more than twice the average for the Nashville-Davidson County metro area. Data from Legal Services Corporation reflects that 74% of low-income families experience a legal problem annually and there was no legal help for 86% of these problems. The collaboration between Bass, Berry & Sims and Legal Aid Society is intended to help address this gap.
The partnership was formally launched at an event held at Pruitt Library, featuring remarks from David Esquivel, pro bono member at Bass, Berry & Sims; DarKenya Waller, executive director of Legal Aid Society; and Councilmember Terry Vo, who represents the Napier-Sudekum neighborhood.
"Bass, Berry & Sims has built meaningful relationships with organizations serving the 37210 area, including the Nashville Public Library Foundation, Harvest Hands, Joy Kitchen, Tennessee Justice Center and Neighborhood Health," said Esquivel. "We are inspired by the leadership and vision these groups bring to the community. By joining forces with Legal Aid Society, we hope to spark additional investment from private businesses, foundations and fellow law firms to further impact the Napier-Sudekum community."
Waller emphasized the urgent need for legal services in the area: "The demand for legal assistance has long outpaced available resources. Bass, Berry & Sims is helping close that gap through its generous Leadership Cabinet gift and ongoing pro bono support for monthly legal clinics where residents can meet directly with attorneys. We're deeply grateful for their commitment — and for others in the legal community who recognize the power of investing in neighborhoods like Napier-Sudekum."
The clinics are scheduled to take place the first Thursday of every month. The first clinic will be Thursday, December 4, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Nashville Public Library's Pruitt Branch (1117 Charles E. Davis Blvd.). For future clinic information, please visit the Legal Aid Society website.
ABA Pro Bono Week
This announcement coincides with the American Bar Association's annual National Celebration of Pro Bono, which honors volunteer lawyers across the country. This year's weeklong celebration is being held from October 19-25. The 2025 theme of "Supporting Communities" specifically recognizes how lawyers' pro bono work helps address the disparity between the availability of affordable, comprehensive legal services and the needs within communities. The national celebration overlaps with Celebrate Pro Bono Month, observed throughout Tennessee each October.
About Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Bass, Berry & Sims is a national law firm with more than 350 attorneys dedicated to delivering exceptional service to numerous publicly traded companies and Fortune 500 businesses in significant litigation and investigations, complex business transactions and international regulatory matters. Bass, Berry & Sims is committed to pursuing systemic change to eradicate the root causes of legal, social and economic inequalities through the firm's pro bono initiatives focused on strengthening families, empowering communities and protecting civil rights. Learn more about the firm here.
About Legal Aid Society
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands advocates for fairness and justice under the law. The nonprofit law firm offers free civil legal representation and educational programs to help people in its region receive justice, protect their well-being and support opportunities to overcome poverty. It serves 48 counties from offices in Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Oak Ridge and Tullahoma. Legal Aid Society is funded in part by United Way. Learn more at las.org, or by following the firm on Facebook.