Legal Aid in Action

Legal Aid in Action is the official podcast of Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. We explain the law in plain, simple words. We share real stories. And we show what justice looks like in everyday life.

Legal Aid gives free legal help to people who cannot afford a lawyer. We help with things like eviction, domestic violence, consumer fraud, public benefits, and family law. Every day, our lawyers and staff work with people across Middle Tennessee to help them stay safe, stay housed, and take care of their families.

On this podcast, we break down common legal problems in easy-to-understand language. We talk with Legal Aid staff and community partners. And we share stories about real people whose lives changed because they got legal help.

This podcast is for you — whether you need legal information, work in your community, or just believe that everyone deserves a fair chance.

Because the law should not be confusing. And help should not be hard to find.

Contributors

Host

Dean Hinton

Dean Hinton is an attorney at Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) and the host of Legal Aid in Action.

Dean has been with LAS for a decade, focused on helping survivors of domestic violence. He helps clients with orders of protection, safety planning, and other urgent matters that affect the safety of survivors and their children.

Before joining LAS, Dean ran his own law practice in Nashville, helping clients with family and consumer law, landlord-tenant issues, and debt collection. He also worked as a paralegal specialist with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Dean served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force, reaching the rank of Sergeant. He holds a law degree from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, where he served as a senior editor of the Law Review.

Dean brings years of courtroom experience and a deep commitment to justice to every episode.

Guests

Guest

Alise Housden

Alise Housden is an attorney at Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, where she has practiced since 2022. She holds a JD from Charlotte School of Law and a BA in Political Science from Western Kentucky University. Before joining Legal Aid, Alise practiced consumer bankruptcy law and gained experience in both private firm and volunteer legal aid settings across Tennessee and North Carolina.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alise-housden-83130b66/

Guest

DarKenya W. Waller

DarKenya W. Waller is the Executive Director of Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands — Tennessee's largest nonprofit law firm. A skilled family law attorney with a JD and MBA, she has led the organization since 2018, doubling its staff and budget.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/darkenyawaller/

Guest

Heather Herrmann

Heather Herrmann is the Director of Education for the Metro Nashville Office of Family Safety, with over 18 years of experience in mission-driven nonprofits. Her work has primarily focused on vulnerable populations, including survivors of domestic and sexual violence, children in poverty, and youth with mental and behavioral health challenges. Prior to joining the Office of Family Safety, Heather worked in various nonprofit settings, including rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, youth services agencies, and the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence. This diverse experience has shaped her expertise in both individual and systemic advocacy. Heather's approach is rooted in an evidence-based, social-ecological model of change, with a focus on trauma, healing, and wellness for both survivors and service providers. Heather is a national trainer providing trauma-responsive education to professional groups and community members.