Recognizing the legal professionals and community leaders who invest in our students.

LUCHA is strengthened by the judges, attorneys, educators, advocates, and community leaders who give their time, experience, and perspective to our students. Whether through mentorship, speaking, professional development, or simply opening a door, their investment helps prepare the next generation of legal professionals.

This page is our way of saying thank you.

Anne Boatner

Executive Director | Renters Rights of Tennessee

Anne Boatner is a Vanderbilt Law graduate and housing advocate whose work focuses on assisting individuals facing eviction. In 2023, the Tennessee Bar Association named her the Ashley T. Wiltshire Public Service Attorney of the Year.

Anne holds a special place in LEAP's 2026 launch story: she was the first mentor to say “yes.” Her willingness to invest her time and experience in a LUCHA student helped turn LEAP from an idea into an opportunity and set the example for those who followed.

Thank you, Anne, for being the first to say yes.

Learn More:

The Honorable Ana Escobar

Judge| Davidson County General Sessions Court, Divison III

Judge Escobar has dedicated her career to public service and the legal profession. Elected to the Davidson County General Sessions Court in 2018, she previously served as an assistant public defender, assistant district attorney, solo practitioner, Metro Clerk, and Deputy Director of the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. She is also a co-founder of the Nashville Hispanic Bar Association. She also co-founded MyCity Academy, a leadership program that informs New Americans and Neighborhood leaders about Metro Government.

Judge Escobar presides over Athena's Court, a specialized treatment court serving survivors of human trafficking and individuals at risk of sexual exploitation. She welcomed LUCHA to Athena's Court's continuing legal education program on human trafficking and has extended opportunities for our students to observe proceedings in both Division III and Athena's Court.

Thank you, Judge Escobar, for opening the doors of your courtrooms to LUCHA, investing in the next generation of legal professionals, and demonstrating the importance of public service.

Learn More: Division III - Judge Ana Escobar

Sheriff Daron Hall

Sheriff | Davidson County TN Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Daron Hall, now serving his seventh term, is the longest-serving sheriff in Nashville history. During his tenure, he created the nationally recognized Behavioral Care Center and has held national leadership roles in both the National Sheriffs’ Association and American Correctional Association.

Sheriff Hall’s support has opened the doors of the Downtown Detention Center and Behavioral Care Center to LUCHA, making our annual Field Experience possible and giving students firsthand exposure to corrections, behavioral health, and the criminal justice system.

Thank you, Sheriff Hall, for opening those doors and investing in our students.

Learn More: Nashville-Davidson County Sheriff’s Office

Lucy Easley, LPC MHSP

Administrator, Behavioral Care Center

Lucy Easley serves as Administrator of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Care Center, a specialized facility focused on behavioral health treatment and support for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Lucy has opened the doors of the Behavioral Care Center to LUCHA students, giving them the opportunity to see firsthand how behavioral health and the criminal justice system intersect. Through that experience, our students have learned about the BCC’s mission, the people it serves, and the important role future attorneys can play when representing and advocating for individuals with behavioral health needs.

Thank you, Lucy, for welcoming our students, sharing your work with them, and helping future attorneys better understand the people and systems they will one day serve.

Learn More: Behavioral Care Center (BCC)

Carla F. Joseph, CJM

Deputy Chief of Corrections | Davidson County TN Sheriff's Office

Deputy Chief Carla Joseph has served DCSO since 1998, rising through the ranks to become Deputy Chief of Corrections. A Certified Jail Manager, she also serves on the American Correctional Association’s Board of Governors and Commission on Accreditation.

For two years, Deputy Chief Joseph has personally welcomed LUCHA students inside the Davidson County correctional system, leading our Field Experience and giving students a firsthand look at corrections and the criminal justice system beyond the classroom.

Thank you, Deputy Chief Joseph, for opening the doors and investing in our students.

Learn More: Nashville-Davidson County Sheriff's Office

Lody Powers

Attorney & Founder | Legal Powers PLLC

Lody Powers is a Nashville trial attorney and former Assistant District Attorney with more than a decade of litigation experience. A graduate of Nashville School of Law, she was the first Latina Assistant District Attorney to serve in Davidson County Criminal Court.

She has consistently advocated for students to have not only a seat in the room, but a meaningful voice within Nashville's legal community. Lody pushed for student representation on the Nashville Hispanic Bar Association board, an effort that ultimately opened the door for a LUCHA student leader to serve as Treasurer of the NHBA Renters Rights of TN, formerly NHBA ERTC Board.

Thank you, Lody, for believing in our students from the very beginning.

Learn More: Lody Powers Bio

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