Davidson County General Sessions Court
Announces and Welcomes First Court Social Worker
Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County General Sessions Court is proud to announce the addition of its first court social worker, Laura Frazier, MSW, MOL, who will serve individuals involved in criminal, civil, and traffic courts.
This newly created position reflects the long-standing vision of Presiding Judge Robin Kimbrough Hayes, who has been passionate about expanding supportive services and improving access to community resources for individuals navigating the court system.
“Social workers bring vital human context to the adversarial court system. By bridging the gap between legal proceedings and human needs, they advocate for clients, provide holistic assessments, and guide vulnerable individuals through the complexities of the justice system,” said Judge Hayes.
In this role, Laura will assist all litigants in General Sessions Court by helping connect individuals to essential resources and supportive services, including food assistance, shelter, healthcare, mental health services, employment support, and other community-based programs.
Laura brings more than a decade of legal experience, having previously worked as a paralegal in criminal defense, civil, and corporate law. Her experience navigating complex legal systems and working alongside individuals facing significant personal and systemic challenges ultimately inspired her transition into social work and strengthened her passion for advocacy and community support.
Prior to being hired into this role, Laura completed field placement work within Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County’s Shelter Court, assisting individuals experiencing homelessness with accessing community resources and supportive services.
As the first social worker within Nashville General Sessions Court, Laura’s role represents an important step toward increasing access to care, reducing barriers, and strengthening community support within the justice system.