News - Friday, February 14, 2014

Many things have enabled associate attorney Jeffrey Maddux to do what he’s doing today: An undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance from Lipscomb University, an MBA and a J.D. from the University of Memphis, and three internships led him in 2008 to Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, where he’s developing a commercial litigation practice. But as significant as those events were in molding his budding career, they did not have a hand in shaping the kind of lawyer he’s becoming.  Rather, Maddux cites his father, attorney Lee Maddux, as being especially influential in that regard.

William “Bill” Killian, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, will be the guest speaker at the next Community Think Tank hosted by the Hamilton County Coalition and the U.S. Department of Justice. The event will take place at the Coalition, located in Chattanooga at 804 Central Avenue, on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Three attorneys with Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel have been honored as “Client Service All-Stars” by BTI Consulting Group in its 13th annual review of lawyers recommended by the nation’s leading corporations. William P. Aiken, Richard W. Bethea, and William H. Pickering are among an exclusive group of 330 attorneys recognized for providing exceptional service and value to their clients. Only one other Tennessee attorney was named as an All-Star by BTI.

Southern Adventist University is hosting The Marcus Roberts Trio for two performances on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. in Ackerman Auditorium. Roberts, a blind piano virtuoso, has collaborated with a variety of musical heavyweights, including Wynton Marsalis and Béla Fleck.

Russell Gray, managing shareholder of Baker Donelson’s Chattanooga office, has been elected a member of the firm’s board of directors. Gray was elected by Baker Donelson’s shareholders to a three-year term as a member of the board.

Anj McClain, founding director of green|spaces, has passed the executive director baton to Michael Walton. Walton comes to green|spaces from Washington D.C. where he was a project architect and sustainability leader at Perkins+Will and the mid-Atlantic regional team leader of the AIA Committee on the Environment.

Every trial lawyer has a story about a mom, dad, or other close relative commenting on what a great lawyer they will make based on their love of argument. There’s no doubting that there are people that love to argue. We all know people that would rather argue than breathe. It may actually be that they breathe by arguing. Either way, all they do is argue.

As chair of the Tennessee Senate Education Committee, Sen. Dolores Gresham has plenty of hot-button issues crossing her desk these days. 

From a compromise bill aimed at opportunity scholarships – or vouchers, to opponents – for low-income children to ongoing issues with Common Core standards, teacher evaluations and more, hers is one of the most-watched committees in state government.

The Tennessee Human Rights Commission will continue statewide hearings in Chattanooga on Monday, Feb. 24 The Commission is seeking input from community leaders, researchers, and advocacy groups to bring testimony regarding the state of human rights in local communities.

Leadership Chattanooga is accepting nominations for the 2014-2015 class through March 7. Upon receipt of nomination, the nominee will receive access to the Leadership Chattanooga application, due April 11. Submit nominations at www.chattanoogachamber.com

Actually, everything is not awesome. Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the greatest actors of our time, has died. I hate that he died, and I hate how he died – an apparent drug overdose. He could play a scumbag so convincingly in one movie, you could smell the depravity oozing through his pores, and in his next movie, create a persona so likable, you couldn’t imagine anyone else in the role. He was a true chameleon of the screen. Thoughts and prayers for his family.

Late last night, at around three in the morning, I awoke from my sleep. I was terrified. I lied there in bed, sensing someone standing over me, watching me – in the darkness.

I tried to move my head – just a little – so I could get a slight glance without him noticing, but I could not. I tried to sit up – to move my arms and legs – but I was frozen in place! I could not even struggle, absolutely nothing would move! I was completely paralyzed! Or was I tied down?  Had this stranger tied me down and I never woke up or felt it? Sheer panic flooded me. My heart was pounding out of my chest, as I lay there, unable to move.

I was late getting this to my talented layout person Karen – late because I wasn’t even sure of a topic. Then I looked at the calendar and remembered there was something about the 14th day of the second month that I’m supposed to remember. Of course, it’s my son Matt’s birthday! Happy birthday big guy! We love you lots!

Last week, hubby and I decided to take a break from the cold and head for the ocean. We didn’t have long, so we decided the closest place would be Orange Beach, Ala. While it was only in the mid-sixties there, and “cold” to the locals, it was a heat wave for us! We really enjoyed the break. But on the way back, we ran into a torrential downpour and then – you guessed it – snow and ice.

Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty owners Bill and Peggy Pryor hosted their company’s Awards and Recognition luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 11 at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel. The Pryors annually recognize their agents at their Chattanooga, Tenn., and Dayton, Tenn., offices for their accomplishments during the previous year and encourage them to continue their success during the upcoming months. Pictured: Ann Martin (right), the broker of the Chattanooga office, hands Teresa Congioloso of the Dayton office her award for selling the most units company-wide in 2013. This was just one of many awards Congioloso received, although no one attending the luncheon left empty-handed. (David Laprad)

When it comes to remodeling, homeowners often wonder which projects are worth the investment. Also, they want to know which improvements will increase their home’s resale value. A great resource for such questions is the “2014 Cost vs. Value Report,” which is a collaborative effort between Remodeling magazine and the National Association of Realtors.

Several members of the North Georgia Council of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors recently attended the Legislative Conference of the Georgia Association of Realtors, held in Atlanta. The conference is a week-long educational event that provides members with the opportunity to discuss issues of public policy that impact the real estate industry, as well as improve Realtors’ knowledge of advances in technology and sales. The highlight of the annual conference is the gathering at the Georgia State Capitol, known as the “Day-On-The-Hill” during which attendees are able to meet with their local state senators and representatives to discuss current issues. Pictured (L-R): Dennis Lindsey; Denise Lindsey; Georgia State Senator Jeff Mullis; Eddie Floyd; Mary Carlson; Robert Nodes, GCAR governmental affairs director; and Georgia Lt. Governor, Casey Cagle. (Photo provided)

I read in the paper about some folks who’ve done well with weight loss and fitness resolutions. They attribute their success to posting goals, activities, and results on Facebook. “Got up at 4, started running at 4:30, did three miles. Tomorrow, five.” That kind of thing. 

The Grammy Awards show was on a few short weeks ago, and although I didn’t watch it, I read and heard that it was outrageous for several reasons. As outrageous as it may have been, one thing will always hold true about the Grammy Awards – the artists never fail to entertain, amuse, disgust, or flabbergast the viewing public. However, it’s about winning awards. After weeding through the entertainment, how much do you remember about the winning artists and their awards? Take this quiz and see how well you do.

Crye-Leike Chattanooga Realtor Debra Loomis has earned the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation.

Loomis completed the training and 90 hours of classroom instruction to earn the designation, which provides real estate agents with a specialized education that helps them advise and assist their clients with contracts, negotiations, finance options, marketing, laws, and ethics.

The Partnership for Families, Children and Adults last week announced its local celebrity line-up for the 7th annual Dancing with the Chattanooga Stars. Chattanooga’s own local celebrity dance-off competition will take place on June 21 at the Tivoli Theatre. The event features eight local celebrities in a dance-off competition to win their own mirror ball trophy and raise money for their chosen Partnership program. The DWTSC 2014 local celebrity lineup will include Belinda Winslett, a real estate agent with Signature Brokers. Each Chattanooga celebrity is paired with a professional dancer from the local Fred Astaire Dance Studio, where they rehearse their routine in 15+ dance lessons over three months. The competitor who raises the most money will win the Grand Dancing Champion Award. All proceeds will benefit Partnership programs. (Photo provided)