What are the TALS Task Forces?

TALS Task Forces exist to support and strengthen statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of vulnerable Tennesseans in need of civil legal assistance. TALS facilitates regular Task Force conference calls to connect attorneys and advocates statewide. TALS also coordinates statewide CLE trainings in the substantive law areas of relevance to legal aid attorneys and other advocates. The Task Forces provide a forum for members to freely share confidential information, best practices and questions. 

Focus Areas

TALS has substantive law Task Forces in the areas of:

• Health / Benefits
• Employment
• Family
• Housing / Consumer
• Special Education / Juvenile Justice
• Immigration & Refugee Law

TALS also has a statewide technology task force that focuses internally and externally on improving technology practices in Tennessee's legal services community. 

Each Task Force has an associated listserv and most participate in scheduled calls to share best practices. To find out more information about the Task Forces, contact Laura Brown. 

Membership

Membership for Representatives of Organizations that Provide Civil Legal Assistance to the Indigent

Representatives of federally and non-federally funded organizations that provide civil legal assistance to the indigent can join the TALS Task Forces without application. This applies to all entities represented by TALS' board members as well. Staff members of the organizations can email Laura Brown at lbrown@tals.org to request to be added to the Task Force that best fits their practice.

Membership for Outside Candidates

In order for individuals who do not represent organizations that provide civil legal assistance to the indigent to become a member of a Task Force, that person must:

1. Complete an application
2. Obtain a sponsor who is an active member of the designated Task Force
3. Sign a non-disclosure agreement
4. The Task Force Chair will perform an initial review of the application, determine whether to present it to the Task Force Membership for a vote, and notify the TALS Director of Training, Compliance, & Technology of the decision. 
5. The Task Force Chair will submit the applicant’s information to the full Task Force for a vote, providing a reasonable deadline for responses.  The majority of those who cast votes will determine whether the applicant is admitted to the Task Force.

To start this process, please email the completed application to Laura Brown at lbrown@tals.org.

Visit our Trainings page to see upcoming TALS' Task Force CLE trainings.

Last updated on March 24, 2023.