Mark you calendar now to attend the 3rd Annual Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative Gala in Memphis on June 16.

More than one million Tennesseans have incomes below 125 percent of the federal poverty level, and a recent legal needs study reveals that these poorest Tennessee families are experiencing between one and three civil legal problem a year. Legal aid programs around the state are unable to meet this overwhelming need with limited staffs, and pro bono programs trying to fill the gap simply do not have enough resources or volunteer lawyers.

Tennessee's corporations and corporate counsel can help make a significant difference by attending the 3rd Annual Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative Gala to learn about special pro bono opportunities for corporate counsel and to help raise money to facilitate the development of new and exciting pro bono projects for in-house corporate counsel and their outside counsel around the state.

• SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: A great way to show support for this cause is to become a sponsor of the Pro Bono Initiative Gala. A variety of sponsorship levels are available to fit your firms needs. Find out more.

• SEATING: Guests attending with sponsors will be seated at the table for 10 bearing the sponsor’s name. Sponsors will be asked to provide the names of their guests in advance. Individual guests will be seated at other tables but are encouraged to join those at sponsored tables if there are vacancies to promote the kind of networking this event hopes to foster among corporate counsel around the state. Individual tickets are $200.

• THREE FREE HOURS OF CLE on June 17: In addition to the Gala on Tuesday evening, guests are also invited to attend a free CLE program “How to Do Good When You Don’t Have a Clue.” The program will be offered on Wednesday, June 17, and will address the basic substantive law areas an attorney might encounter while providing pro bono services at a legal clinic. The session will be led by Linda Warren Seely with Memphis Area Legal Services and be held in the Forest Room at the Peabody Hotel from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Registration begins at 8:30.

• LOCATION: The Peabody Hotel is located at 149 Union Avenue in Memphis. Get directions and map.

• HOTEL PARKING: The Peabody offers valet parking and covered self-parking. Parking charges are not included in the event ticket price or room rate.

• HOTEL ROOMS: A block of rooms has been reserved for the night of June 16 at the Peabody Hotel. Take advantage of the special TBA Rate of $185 per night for single/double occupancy or $205 per night for triple or quad rooms. This special rate will be available through May 20. For reservations call 800-Peabody (press 2) and note that you will be attending the Tennessee Bar Association annual convention.
For more information visit the hotel's web site: http://www.peabodymemphis.com/.

• OTHER QUESTIONS: If you have additional questions, you may email Anjanette Eash or call her at 615-383-7421.