Name: More than a Keycard: Preventing Eviction for Hotel/Motel Residents
Start: 2026-08-26T14:30:00-0700
End: 2026-08-26T15:30:00-0700

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

Equal Justice University 2026

Zac Oswald

Melanie Hagerman

Attendees (6)

Get help with the event

Equal Justice University 2026

Zac Oswald

Melanie Hagerman

Attendees (6)

Sign up or log in to save this to your schedule, view media, leave feedback and see who's attending!

Get help with the event