Equal Justice University 2026: Full Schedule

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10:00am PDT

Counterclaim as a Tool for Eviction Defense

Wednesday August 26, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

Counterclaims strengthen defenses, create settlement leverage, and improve outcomes for tenants facing eviction, all while giving our clients an opportunity to be heard on the issues that matter to them. This session will cover when counterclaims are worth pursuing, the key procedural and substantive rules that govern them, and practical ways to use them in day-to-day eviction practice. Attendees will also review sample pleadings and real-world examples to help implement these strategies immediately.

Speakers

Liz Leiserson

Elizabeth Leiserson serves as the Project Director for the Eviction Right to Counsel program and the Housing Practice Group lead at Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. She is a Nashville native and a graduate of Yale Law School. She came to LAS after working... Read More →

Leirson Handouts Damages Spreadsheet xlsx

Leiserson Handouts Attorney's Fees Affidavit docx

Leiserson Handouts Answer & Counterclaim docx

Leiserson Handouts Counterclaim Packet Pro Se Tenant Final pdf

10 1130 Leiserson Counterclaims for Eviction Defense pptx

Wednesday August 26, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

1:15pm PDT

Obtaining Attorney's fees as a Legal Aid Attorney

Wednesday August 26, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT

Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

Brief overview of the processes, rules, and regulations, including ethical rules, regarding obtaining attorney fees as a Legal Aid Attorney.

Speakers

Jennifer Egelston

Jennifer has been with Legal Aid of East Tennessee since October 2023. Jennifer Egelston is a mother, a US Army military police veteran, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law. Jennifer is passionate about helping families resolve their conflicts. Jennifer has... Read More →

Robert Downs

Robert Downs is the Managing Attorney of the Knoxville Office of Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET). He has been an attorney with Legal Aid of East Tennessee since 2012. He had previously been the Deputy Director of Ligation of Advocacy for the Knoxville Legal Aid of East Tennessee... Read More →

115 215 Handout Egleston Template Attorney Fee Disclosure Affidavit (1) pdf

115 215 Egelston Attorneys Fees as a Legal Aid Attorney with Jennys Notes (1) pptx

Wednesday August 26, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

2:30pm PDT

Using Affirmative Litigation and the Appellate Process to Further Justice for Clients

Wednesday August 26, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

As Legal Aid attorneys, we often focus our resources for housing litigation on eviction defense. However, we still get clients who would greatly benefit from affirmative litigation, and when resources allow, we should encourage representing clients in these cases. Since most evictions proceed in General Sessions courts, our clients usually do not have access to discovery or Rules of Civil Procedures protections. To ensure our clients are receiving justice, it's important to know when and where to file affirmative cases. This can be accomplished either by filing affirmative cases in the General Sessions or higher courts or appealing a General Sessions decision to the higher courts. We will discuss how to decide what court to file in and when to appeal. We will also discuss issues with appealing, such as the appeal bond. We will go over how to determine damages and file indigency waivers.

Speakers

Rebecca Delius

Rebecca Delius (she/her) is a paralegal with the Eviction Right to Counsel program at the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. A Nashville native, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and English from the University of Mississippi. Rebecca spent more... Read More →

Sydney Butler

Sydney Butler (she/her) is an attorney with the Eviction Right to Counsel program of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. A 2023 graduate of Belmont University College of Law, Sydney is passionate about helping tenants assert their rights through eviction... Read More →

230 330 Delius Handouts Statement of Facts 1636 Example pdf

230 330 Delius Affirmative Litigation EJU PPT pptx

Wednesday August 26, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

3:45pm PDT

Red State Discovery - Guns, Ammo, Tools and Gear

Wednesday August 26, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT

Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

A talk on how to do effective discovery and correctly value property that frequently comes up in rural divorces - firearms, ammunition and tactical accessories, tools, and outdoors equipment. Many of these items are deceptively valuable, on par with motor vehicles or even houses in some cases, and attorneys need to be aware of potential pitfalls and know the right questions to ask during discovery to ensure clients receive a fair share of the marital estate.

Speakers

Tyler Weaver

Tyler Weaver is an attorney with Legal Aid of East Tennessee specializing in family and housing law who served as a Field Artillery officer in the US Army for ten years before starting his legal career.

345 445 Weaver Discovery on Firearms and Tactical Equipment TALS pptx

Wednesday August 26, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

Equal Justice University 2026

10:00am PDT

Liz Leiserson

1:15pm PDT

Jennifer Egelston

Robert Downs

2:30pm PDT

Rebecca Delius

Sydney Butler

3:45pm PDT

Tyler Weaver

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