Equal Justice University 2026: Full Schedule

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10:00am PDT

Consumer Law 101

Wednesday August 26, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am PDT

This presentation will provide an overview of the role of a consumer attorney in nonprofit, low-income law practice, including the basics of cases involving contracts, collections, and debt relief. It will provide a broad review and starting point for the new consumer attorney, and a refresher for the experienced consumer attorney.

Speakers

Jake Old

Jake Old is the Consumer Unit Manager at West Tennessee Legal Services in Jackson, Tennessee. He also helps oversee the day-of-court clinics at WTLS in which attorneys are available in some general sessions courts to provide advice or representation to clients. Jake received his... Read More →

10 1130 Old Handout Contracts 101 case example pdf

10 1130 Old Consumer Law 101 pptx

Wednesday August 26, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am PDT
Embassy Suites- Broadlands B

1:15pm PDT

Pandemic Unemployment Overpayments: The Sequel - This time it is Enforcement

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

Embassy Suites- Broadlands B

This CLE session examines another wave of pandemic unemployment litigation: aggressive enforcement actions by Departments of Labor seeking recovery of alleged overpayments. What began as administrative notices has evolved into full-scale collection efforts, often catching claimants—and their counsel—off guard years after benefits were paid. This program is designed for attorneys representing workers, claimants, and employers who now face garnishments, liens, levies, and court proceedings stemming from pandemic-era unemployment benefits. Attendees will learn how distress warrants function as powerful enforcement tools—often issued administratively rather than judicially—and how they authorize wage garnishments, bank levies, and property liens without traditional civil litigation safeguards.

Speakers

Trina Hughes

Trina Hughes is an attorney in the Oak Ridge office of Legal Aid Society of Middle TN and the Cumberlands primarily practicing in the areas of consumer, fair housing, and family law. She joined LAS in February 2020. Before joining Legal Aid Society, Trina worked as an elder law attorney... Read More →

Patty Sellars

Patty Sellars is an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands, where she has served since August 2020 following her graduation from Nashville School of Law. She leads the Employment Practice Group at Legal Aid and chairs the Employment Law Task... Read More →

115 215 Sellars Hughes Handouts Sworn Statement Redacted pdf

115 215 Sellar Hughes Handout Order Granting Motion to Quash Redacted pdf

115 215 Hughes Sellars Handout OAR Appeal Redacted pdf

115 215 Sellars Hughes Handout Slow Pay Motion Form pdf

115 215 Sellars Hughes PUA Overpayments pptx

115 215 Sellars Hughes Handout Distress Warrant Redacted pdf

115 215 Sellars Hughes Handout Motion to Quash Form pdf

115 215 Sellars Hughes Handout Motion to Quash Redacted pdf

115 215 OAR Appeal Redacted pdf

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

2:30pm PDT

More than a Keycard: Preventing Eviction for Hotel/Motel Residents

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

Embassy Suites- Broadlands B

Hotels want the benefits of long-term occupancy and the flexibility of immediate removal. Today’s question is: can they have both—or does Tennessee law force them to pick one? This session examines how Tennessee housing advocates can use state excise tax law to establish tenancy for individuals residing in hotels and motels beyond 30 days. While occupants are often treated as “transient guests,” tax treatment tells a different story—one that can support recognition of tenancy and trigger legal protections against unlawful, self-help removal by the hotel/motel.

Speakers

Zac Oswald

Zac Oswald is Senior Deputy Director of Client Services at the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands, where he combines front-line advocacy with emerging technology. His team’s AI-driven ExpungeMate tool has helped clear thousands of non-convictions, expanding... Read More →

Melanie Hagerman

Melanie Hagerman is a family law and housing attorney in the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands' Tullahoma office. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Harvard Law School. Prior to working for the Legal Aid Society, Melanie was a legal fellow at A... Read More →

230 330 Oswald Hotel Motel Eviction Defense pptx

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

3:45pm PDT

Depositions 101

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

Embassy Suites- Broadlands B

Planning and conducting effective and efficient depositions

Speakers

Martie Lafferty

Martie Lafferty is Executive Director of the Tennessee Fair Housing Council (TFHC). Martie has been practicing law for over 25 years with a focus on civil rights issues including fair housing, disability rights, and accessibility. Martie is a skilled litigator with substantial experience... Read More →

345 445 Lafferty Depositions 101 Tip Sheet pdf

345 445 Lafferty Depositions 101 pptx

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

Equal Justice University 2026

10:00am PDT

Jake Old

1:15pm PDT

Trina Hughes

Patty Sellars

2:30pm PDT

Zac Oswald

Melanie Hagerman

3:45pm PDT

Martie Lafferty

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