David ‘Lee’ Myers Named 2025 Law Student Volunteer of the Year by Tennessee Bar Association
Unlike many first-year law students, recent graduate David “Lee” Myers knew exactly where he wanted his legal education to take him from the moment he enrolled in Belmont’s College of Law.
“I wanted to pursue law school with the specific intent to do housing justice,” he shared.
Myers was recognized by the Tennessee Bar Association as the 2025 Student Volunteer of the Year in recognition of his extensive commitment to housing justice and legal advocacy.
A Personal Journey to Justice
Raised by a single mother who relied on the support of food stamps and other social services, housing insecurity has affected the Tennessee native for at least half his life. Myers’ earliest childhood memories were set to the backdrop of a doublewide trailer where his family relied on critical support services to get by.
His inspiring full-circle story underscores the fact that social safety nets helped him achieve his dreams, rise above hardship and give back as an advocate.
Deliberate Steps Toward Housing Justice
Director of Belmont Law’s Office of Career and Professional Development, Alix Rogers vividly remembers meeting Myers as a first-year law student.
“I remember thinking, I can’t believe this 1L even knows what housing justice is,” Rogers recalled. “As a former Legal Aid attorney, I knew the cycle of students who start law school with aspirations of public interest work but then turn to the higher-paying private practice jobs. But as I got to know Lee and watched him grow as an advocate, I understood his deep commitment to this work.”
As a law student, Myers accumulated an extraordinary 350 pro bono hours and amassed an additional 300 hours in Belmont’s experiential learning program by completing internships with Legal Aid Society and the Tennessee Fair Housing Council for credit.
The Student Volunteer of the Year Award honors a law student who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to pro bono service and access-to-justice efforts across the state. Myers has gone above and beyond in his commitment to advocate for those experiencing housing instability.
“I’ve always been motivated by the values that drive this work,” he said. “Housing justice, tenant rights, civil rights — these are issues that have impacted my own life, and I want to help others navigate the same challenges.”
During his time at Belmont, Myers played a critical role in launching the law school’s first Housing Conditions Clinic in partnership with the Legal Aid Society. The clinic not only offered legal support to tenants facing unsafe living conditions but also connected them with grassroots community organizations to explore alternative paths to advocacy.
“Legal services are important, but they’re only one piece,” Myers explained. “Real change comes from ordinary people organizing together. The clinic helped bridge those two worlds to empower tenants.”
Legal Aid Society has high hopes to develop a “habitability calculator” that will allow tenants to document and pursue housing complaints independently. Myers conducted extensive research on relevant case law from surrounding states to help lay the foundation for this transformational project.
Empowered by Belmont’s Community
During his time at Belmont, Myers felt fully supported by Belmont Law faculty, staff and peers. As a student with no legal background prior to starting law school, he appreciated the attentiveness and guidance from faculty members like Professor Amy Moore.
“There was a bit of culture shock for me at first,” Myers admitted. “It’s very rigorous and demanding at times, but the professors are very supportive. Professor Moore was my favorite professor. She can be intense and grill you if you don’t understand the material, but she really makes sure you learn it."
The College of Law also helped him find the right opportunities and gain the practical experience needed to succeed.
“Alix and Ginny Blake were great at working with me and helping facilitate the opportunities I wanted to pursue in law school,” he said. “My fellow students were also very supportive of me using my role as a clinic coordinator to advance the justice issues I cared about.”
A Future of Continued Impact
Myers’ next step will take his long-standing mission across the country, continuing the work he began at the start of law school. He accepted a two-year fellowship with Inner City Law Center in Los Angeles. The organization also focuses on slumlord litigation, homelessness among veterans and civil rights for immigrant communities. He will serve as an eviction defense attorney.
Though his next chapter will unfold in California courtrooms, Myers leaves behind a lasting legacy in Tennessee. From building student-led clinics to laying groundwork for statewide tenant tools, his efforts will continue to shape access to justice long after his graduation.
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