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.

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.

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.

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.

Jordan Stringer is a litigator and project manager with deep roots in the public interest and pro bono spaces. Before joining Legal Aid Society, Stringer most recently served as legal counsel for Equifax Inc., where he managed Equifax’s nationwide docket of single-plaintiff lawsuits concerning the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). In that role, Jordan both supervised outside counsel and served as counsel of record.

Over the course of his career, Stringer has also worked for nonprofit organizations, international law firms and industry-leading companies, while also serving on various boards, committees and affinity groups serving the metro Atlanta region. In the pro bono and public interest spaces, he has advised homeless individuals in civil proceedings, litigated civil rights cases on behalf of marginalized individuals and counseled indigent clients facing eviction. 

Lucinda Smith is the Pro Bono Coordinator at Bass, Berry & Sims working with our Pro Bono Member to facilitate the firm’s pro bono efforts focused in three primary areas: strengthening families, empowering communities, and protecting civil rights. In her role, Lucinda develops pro bono opportunities and supports ongoing projects, linking attorneys with pro bono work. She coordinates the Pro Bono Internship Program which connects law students with the firm’s pro bono projects.

Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, Lucinda directed pro bono initiatives at Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, initially as Director of the Nashville Pro Bono Program, Inc., developing relationships with law firms and organizations to support pro bono efforts in Davidson County providing support for up to 2,500 cases annually. 

Raised as the child of an Army officer, Rebecca spent her childhood living across the country and abroad, including in Puerto Rico, Colorado, Alaska, Oklahoma, Virginia, and New York. This upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for adaptability, resilience, and the importance of family as a constant source of stability.

Rebecca earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma and went on to receive her Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

She began her legal career as a Domestic Violence prosecutor in Queens County, New York, where she served for over seven years. Rebecca later transitioned into family law, spending more than five years as the Lead Family Law Attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee. 

Now working in private practice in Middle Tennessee, she finds great fulfillment in supporting families as they navigate difficult transitions and begin new chapters.

Stacy Scruggs serves as the Program Coordinator and primary administrative official for the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program, where she oversees all aspects of program administration and participant services. In this role, she leads the coordination and development of statewide training and outreach initiatives for Safe at Home application assistants, collaborating closely with law enforcement agencies, community advocates, and partner organizations to ensure effective implementation and access to services.

A Nashville native, Ms. Scruggs holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Belmont University and a Master of Arts in Conflict Management from Lipscomb University. She is also a trained Civil and Family Mediator, bringing specialized expertise in dispute resolution and conflict management to her work in public service.