Amy Willoughby Bryant champions conservatorship education, access and improvement across Tennessee
For adjunct law professor Amy Willoughby Bryant, public service isn’t just part of her career — it’s the very foundation of her work.
The Tennessee Alliance of Legal Services honored Bryant’s commitment to public service at its annual Equal Justice University conference in August where she received the B. Riney Green Award. The award recognizes individuals who promote statewide collaboration on projects that strengthen access to justice across Tennessee.
Helping the Helping Hands: Conservatorship Public Service
As the director of the Office of Conservatorship Management for Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (OCM), Bryant has been a driving force behind state-wide initiatives to bring education and support to the conservatorship practice.
A conservatorship is a legal arrangement where a court appoints a responsible person or organization (the conservator) to care for another adult (the conservatee) who cannot care for themselves or manage their finances. These arrangements are crucial for protecting vulnerable adults, including elderly individuals and those with disabilities.
After recognizing the need for conservator education, Bryant created an online conservator training for her office — the first and only training in the state. The absence of mandatory training leaves many conservators underprepared to assist and support their indigent clients. Since creating her training in 2019, it has been widely used across the state and nation as a free resource for judges and clerks.
In 2020, Bryant initiated another statewide effort to provide pro bono legal services to parents who need to gain a conservatorship for their child with a disability. To date, the program has benefited over 100 families in Middle Tennessee and several in West and East Tennessee.
Bryant’s work has even made an impact on legislation. She serves as president of the Conservatorship Association of Tennessee which has worked for years to effect change in conservatorship legislation. As of July 1, new legislation added a list of do’s and don'ts to the oath that all conservators take, helping explain in plain language what a conservator should not do and is required to do.
Bringing Her Passion to Belmont Law
Bryant’s journey to Belmont began by working with interns from the College of Law at OCM. Their impactful experiences with her office eventually led to an invitation to teach, giving Bryant the platform to share her insights into elder law and conservatorship with students under her tutelage.
Bryant’s self-designed elder law practicum bridges the gap between classroom theory and the real-world legal challenges faced by the elderly and individuals with a disability. Students hear firsthand accounts from lawyers, judges, and clerks to get a holistic understanding of the elder law landscape.
"This isn’t just theory," she noted. "I want my students to know how the system works on a practical level."
In addition to ensuring students can connect their classroom knowledge to the actual practices and complexities they will face in the field, Bryant works to instill a strong sense of responsibility toward public service.
"Public service is my life," she said. "I encourage my students to give back, do pro bono work and be willing to meet people where they are, which isn’t always easy."
The rewards of teaching, for Bryant, are both personal and communal.
“Every year, at least one of my students gets a job in this field. Knowing that what I’ve taught has made an impact — that’s incredibly rewarding,” she said. She also takes pride in the fact that her students not only become well-versed in elder law but can apply the lessons to their own lives.
"Everyone will either become elderly or have elderly relatives,” she added. “What I teach is applicable beyond just a career—it’s useful life knowledge."
A Vision for Expanding Conservatorship Education
Looking to the future, Bryant hopes to expand her work even further. Her vision includes establishing a statewide Office of Conservatorship Management and creating a probate clinic at Belmont Law, where students could provide legal assistance to those in need.
While her career trajectory may have taken unexpected turns — from aspiring real estate lawyer to a recognized leader in elder law and conservatorship — Bryant's passion for serving her community remains unwavering. As she puts it, "If I see a need, I fill it. That’s just who I am."
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