The Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office

The Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office Celebrating over 25 years of zealous legal representation in Knox County, Tennessee
www.pdknox.org

The Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office (CLO) practices holistic, client-centered representation which seamlessly combines vigorous legal advocacy with robust social services and access to community resources. The integrated structure of the legal and social services departments at the CLO creates a meaningful opportunity to partner with clients to help them stabilize their lives an

d get out of the criminal justice system. It provides for comprehensive representation that recognizes the interaction between legal, personal and environmental issues and, in contrast to a more traditional lawyer-centered model, emphasizes the collaboration between client, attorney and social worker. The CLO’s model allows us to seek justice, while also preventing crime, reducing recidivism and empowering our clients to become productive members of the community. More about youth programs at the CLO
The Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office (CLO) Youth Program provides a variety of educational, athletic and artistic experiences, through after-school and summer activities, for children ranging in age from first grade through middle school. By engaging children early through structured activities and long-term relationships with caring adults, the program helps participating children build their self-awareness and confidence, while enhancing their capacity for self-expression.

The CLO is pleased to announce we’ve hired a new assistant public defender - Caleb Atkins. He is a May 2025 graduate of ...
02/24/2026

The CLO is pleased to announce we’ve hired a new assistant public defender - Caleb Atkins. He is a May 2025 graduate of University of Tennessee's Winston College of Law. While in law school, Caleb was Editor-in-Chief of the Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy, the team captain of the National Mock Trial Team, the schools American Bar Association Representative, and was selected to join the Order of the Barristers.
Outside of work, Caleb serves on the board of directors as the treasurer for the Tennessee Chapter of the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention.

Please help us welcome the CLO's newest externs! Pictured from top are Gracen Miller of University of Tennessee Winston ...
02/11/2026

Please help us welcome the CLO's newest externs! Pictured from top are Gracen Miller of University of Tennessee Winston College of Law Charlotte Linnartz of Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law and Christina Williams of University of Tennessee Winston College of Law

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a s...
01/17/2026

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly" - Martin Luther King Jr.

Mochi Tsuki (mochi pounding) is a cherished Japanese tradition that brings people together, strengthens community bonds,...
01/15/2026

Mochi Tsuki (mochi pounding) is a cherished Japanese tradition that brings people together, strengthens community bonds, and helps start the New Year with a positive spirit and gratitude. The kids at the CLO Youth Programs had so much fun on Tuesday learning about Asian Culture and making mochi! We made lots of New Year wishes, and already feel the good luck for 2026!
Thanks to the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, and to volunteers Naoko and Kumi!

The CLO staff on Friday gathered together for a Thanksgiving meal. We have a lot to be thankful for. Our employees are d...
11/21/2025

The CLO staff on Friday gathered together for a Thanksgiving meal. We have a lot to be thankful for. Our employees are dedicated to the work and each other. Our bosses support and encourage us. Our clients gift us with their trust, their patience and their faith. This work can be challenging, but the blessings far outweigh the burdens. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us to all of you!

There was a whole lotta love at the CLO yesterday afternoon! The kids at the after-school program were so happy to spend...
11/19/2025

There was a whole lotta love at the CLO yesterday afternoon! The kids at the after-school program were so happy to spend time reading to, brushing, petting, and hugging our HABIT dog Rosie! Rosie lifts our spirits, and just makes us all feel good! We are so thankful (especially at this time of the year) to have our wonderful HABIT Handler, Denise Cu***ng, and her very patient and beautiful dog, Rosie, be a part of this office!

The CLO was proud to participate in this week's Family Promise Trunk or Treat event this weekend in our parking lot. An ...
10/27/2025

The CLO was proud to participate in this week's Family Promise Trunk or Treat event this weekend in our parking lot. An estimated 500 people attended. Over 200 baby blankets and more than 3,000 diapers were handed out along with lots and lots of candy. CLO staff donated candy for the event, and several staffers dressed up for the occasion, decorated their trunks and handed out sweet treats. Family Promise is dedicated to serving families either in danger of homelessness or experiencing homelessness, and the CLO was happy to partner with the organization for this event. Happy Halloween!

The CLO has been a pioneer in the move to include social workers as key members of defense teams preparing cases for tri...
10/17/2025

The CLO has been a pioneer in the move to include social workers as key members of defense teams preparing cases for trial and key advocates in sentencing issues clients face. This week Wright Surgenor, our director of social services, took her considerable experience and knowledge to the podium at the Tennessee Public Defenders Conference in Murfreesboro. She taught a session entitled The Social History: Telling the Client’s Story and participated in a panel discussion among social workers and sentencing advocates on building strong defenses. Here at the CLO, Surgenor and her staff play a vital role both in defending clients and caring for their physical and mental health, and we appreciate them greatly. CLO attorneys and investigators also attended this week’s conference and received training that will make our defense efforts even stronger. We are grateful to the PD’s Conference for their work in putting on this annual training opportunity.

Help us welcome our legal extern for the fall semester, Elizabeth Thornton. She graduated from the University of North C...
09/25/2025

Help us welcome our legal extern for the fall semester, Elizabeth Thornton. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is currently a third-year student at the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law. She also serves as a student attorney at UT Legal Clinic. We're glad to have Elizabeth on board.

There were lots of smiles and giggles yesterday at the CLO Youth Programs! Monkey cupcakes, Rosie the HABIT Dog, and som...
08/27/2025

There were lots of smiles and giggles yesterday at the CLO Youth Programs! Monkey cupcakes, Rosie the HABIT Dog, and some pretty amazing art! (thanks to the very patient instructor, Amanda, at Knoxville Arts Center) Oh! and the kids had time at the end of class for a little outdoor fun!

The CLO kicked off its after-school program for middle school students on Thursday with a visit from Chef Tyler of the U...
08/22/2025

The CLO kicked off its after-school program for middle school students on Thursday with a visit from Chef Tyler of the UT Culinary Program. The students made shrimp cakes with an avocado dipping sauce. Students had their own burners to saute onions and fry the shrimp cakes, and Chef Tyler dished out lots of helpful kitchen tips along the way. The students were glad to be back at the CLO, and we were so glad to have them back.

Address

1101 Liberty Street
Knoxville, TN
37919

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(865) 594-6120

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