David Anthony has been named a 2021 Attorney for Justice by the Tennessee Supreme Court and the Court’s Access to Justice Commission. This marks the fifth consecutive year that David has earned this distinction, awarded in recognition of his pro bono legal work.

To qualify, attorneys must provide at least 50 hours of pro bono legal service annually. In the past year, David aided downtown Nashville residents, business owners and workers who were affected by the Christmas Day bombing, and he regularly assists with eviction and landlord-tenant issues at weekend and evening clinics hosted by the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands.

The goal of the Attorneys for Justice program is to encourage more Tennessee lawyers to donate their time and legal expertise to low-income, at-risk individuals. Providing helpful legal advice at their greatest time of need is a win-win for the client and the pro bono lawyer.

“The legal clinics I attend are usually on Saturday mornings,” David explains. “Doing more legal work is usually the last thing I want to do at the beginning of my weekend, but I have seen firsthand what this service means to the people I’ve been able to help. Frankly, it re-energizes me as a lawyer.”

In his teaching position at Belmont University’s School of Law, David has incorporated pro bono service into his class curriculum. Over the past two months, he has brought his second- and third-year law students to weekend Legal Aid clinics to shadow attorneys during client appointments.

“I want them to see what a unique, powerful and effective role they can play as lawyers to help those in need,” he says. “They’re the future generation of Attorneys for Justice.”