Memphis Area Legal Services Announces Retirement of CEO
Memphis Area Legal Services has announced the retirement of CEO Harrison D. McIver III.
Harrison is a leader in Tennessee's access to justice community and a member of TALS' Board of Directors. TALS is especially thankful for Harrison's leadership of the annual Equal Justice University statewide training conference. Equal Justice University (EJU) is the annual gathering of approximately 200 lawyers, advocates, social worker professionals, and pro bono attorneys involved in providing civil legal assistance across Tennessee. As conference chair for 20 years, Harrison has been instrumental in the growth and continued impact of EJU. Harrison received the prestigious B. Riney Green Award from TALS in 2013, for fostering unity and coordination among Tennessee's access to justice community.
MALS issued the following press release to announce the retirement:
"Memphis, TN - Longtime advocate and champion of equal justice retires
Harrison D. McIver III, CEO of Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. (MALS) is retiring after leading the firm for more than 20 years. The MALS Board of Directors and staff thank Mr. McIver for his long years of service to those in need. MALS' Board President, Sean Antone Hunt, stated "his absence from the organization will be felt by all. He has some really big shoes that we will have to fill!"
During his tenure at MALS, McIver was instrumental in raising the profile and reputation of MALS locally, statewide and nationally. While under McIver's leadership, MALS' budget nearly doubled, its staff grew to 50 (including more than 20 attorney positions) and its growth allowed for the firm to be reorganized into specialty units. Additionally, partnerships and collaborations with the private bar, community based organizations and governmental agencies expanded. Examples of this expansion include the creation of the region’s first medical-legal partnership with Methodist Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, the implementation of a specialized program to address the legal and housing needs of homeless veterans, and a statewide partnership to assist seniors in overcoming legal barriers that affect their physical and financial well-being.
McIver “thanks the MALS board and its dedicated and committed staff for giving him the opportunity to serve the Memphis area community and to fulfill his lifelong passion of seeking equal justice and fairness for all.” Although retiring from MALS, McIver will continue his quest for equal justice in other avenues and will be actively involved in the local and state bars and in the Memphis community.
About Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.
Established in 1970, MALS is a non-profit law firm working to ensure that hte most vulnerable residnets in Shelby, Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton Counties have access to high quality legal assistance. MALS predominantly serves women and children, the elderly and the disabled. MALS' services are largely support by limited government funding and private donors. The firm's community-based advocacy results in access to food, shelter, income and a safe living environment for its clients who are often susceptible to the widening "justice gap."
For more information about MALS, visit www.malsi.org."