Legal Aid Society Executive Director Stepping Back from Leadership after Two Decades of Public Service Work
Louisville, KY (May 6, 2021) — Legal Aid Society Executive Director Neva-Marie Polley Scott announced Wednesday, May 5 to the Legal Aid Society staff and Board of Directors her decision to step back from the position and her work at the agency by the close of 2021.
Scott began practicing public service law at the Louisville Metro Public Defender Office in 1999. During her tenure as a public defender, she represented juveniles, adults, and also engaged in mental health case representation in matters related to involuntary hospitalization. At the time of her departure in July 2005, Scott was serving in a supervisory role as the Deputy Juvenile Defender of the office’s Juvenile Division.
Scott joined the Legal Aid Society in July 2005 as a staff attorney in the agency’s Family Law Unit. Scott quickly became involved in numerous efforts to increase the safety of survivors of domestic violence through legal interventions. Scott worked with a team of community agencies to create and launch the Domestic Violence Advocacy Program, a program that continues to serve survivors today and has now helped thousands of individuals and families.
Scott left the Legal Aid Society in 2010 for the private practice of law but continued, to serve as a volunteer attorney for and consultant on matters related to domestic violence. Scott returned to Legal Aid in 2013, joining the management team as the Managing Attorney of Volunteer Services and Community Engagement. During her tenure in this role, she reorganized the agency’s volunteer program and launched several new projects, including Project H.E.L.P., (Homeless Experience Legal Protection), which continues to serve members of our community today who are experiencing homelessness.
In 2016, after a comprehensive search, Scott was appointed by the Board of Directors to be the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society. During her tenure as Executive Director, Scott revamped the office’s processes for handing matters across the agency’s fifteen counties, worked with the Board and staff to increase the agency’s revenues by approximately $1,000,000 annually, and worked tirelessly to foster an environment that balanced committed service to the community with the recognition of and support for the Legal Aid team.
In speaking of Scott’s announcement, Board Chair, Kendrick Riggs, noted, “The Board of Directors is deeply grateful for Neva’s years of service and her tireless commitment to our clients and the staff of the Legal Aid Society. Neva’s servant leadership has resulted in increases in all of Legal Aid’s work, from fundraising, deeper community engagement, and, of course, highly effective client services. We wish her all the best in the years to come.”
Scott holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law. She also holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville. Scott is the recipient of numerous professional awards and affiliations, including: serving as a Master of the Louis D. Brandeis Chapter of the American Inn of Court; a Distinguished Alumna of the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville; the 2014 recipient of the Judge Richard Revell Award presented by the Louisville Bar Association to one member of the family court bar annually; 2010 Member of the Year presented by the Women Lawyer’s Association of Jefferson County; 2010 Marshall Eldred Award for Excellence in Advocacy presented by the Legal Aid Society. Scott is also called upon regularly to speak on matters related to domestic violence, trauma-informed care, poverty law, and non-profit legal management.
In reference to plans for the future, Board Chair Riggs advised that a search committee is being established to search for the next director of the agency. Riggs noted that the agency will celebrate its centennial anniversary beginning in December this year and is well positioned to enter into the next 100 years of service. He expressed confidence that the Board will select a leader that will continue the agency’s successful service to the community.
Scott will continue in her role until the next Executive Director is appointed and then remain for a period of time to assist in the transition of the position.
ABOUT LEGAL AID SOCIETY
The Legal Aid Society is a non-profit organization that provides civil legal assistance to low-income families and individuals in poverty in 15 counties in Kentucky. It is the only organization in Louisville and the surrounding counties that provides a full array of free civil legal services. Founded in 1921, the Legal Aid Society is one of the country’s oldest legal aid providers. Clients turn to Legal Aid for civil legal problems that threaten their physical and economic well-being. Those assisted include the elderly, children, victims of domestic violence, and other vulnerable groups. Last year, the Legal Aid Society helped over 5,000 households who had nowhere else to turn. More information is available at www.yourlegalaid.org.