To be thankful.
As I look back over the year here at the Bar Association, we have a lot to be thankful for. In no particular order...
I’m thankful for Sam Elliott, who assists our office with requests from the Board of Professional Responsibility.
I’m thankful our Association has over 800 outstanding lawyers and judges who serve their clients and community in Hamilton County, and who give their time to this 117-year-old organization. Over the years, I’ve witnessed camaraderie, where they will ban together to help those in need. Whether it’s health or financial issues, the members of the CBA always show care and concern for one another.
I thank Co-Chairs Paul Hatcher and Barry Abbott and all the panel members who serve on the fee dispute panels, and help to resolve those issues in a non-confrontational manner.
I thank David Kesler, who chairs our Mentor-Mentee Committee, and our past presidents, who have spent hours mentoring the next generation of lawyers.
I’m thankful for those attorneys who give many hours in preparing for and speaking at our Continuing Legal Education Seminars. I’m also thankful to those attorneys who attend our seminars and support the Association.
I’m thankful to the Hamilton County Commission for funding “When You Become 18,” a booklet distributed each year to all high school seniors in Hamilton County, and to Lee Davis and Conner Alexander for updating the contents. For more information or to download this booklet, visit our website at www.chattanoogabar.org.
I’m thankful Dr. Fred Gray, a veteran civil rights attorney from Montgomery, Ala., was our speaker for Law Day.
I’m thankful for our Young Lawyers Division and its CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) project.
I’m thankful for our sponsors, who support our civic and public service responsibility community wide. Our generous sponsors are: the Hamilton County Herald; FirstBank; LEXUS of Chattanooga; IPSCO; Diversified Companies, LLC.; Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough; and Sheila Wilson Court Reporting.
I’m thankful for the businesses that provide product or benefits to our members. Those businesses are: Abine, Inc.; Acumen Polygraph Services; Elizabeth Adams Photography; AFLAC; Alex McMahan Photography; ARC Point of Chattanooga; Barry Aslinger Photography; Audio Visuals Creators; BankCard Solutions; Biltmore Estate; Carter Distributing Company; Chattanooga Coca Cola Bottling Company; Continental Film; Figgy’s; Forte Fitness; Hood Web Management; Interior Care, Inc.; Jamie Pearson Photography; Legal Video Services; Level (3); LEXUS of Chattanooga; Lodestar-Creative; LogicForce Consulting; MSA Digital, Inc.; MetLife of Chattanooga; NetGain Technologies; PAR Foundation; Paralegal On Call; Professional Drug Screening; RFS Services; Reececo Properties, LLC; Staples Advantage; The Chef & His Wife; Verizon Wireless; Voiceopia; and Williams Web.
I’m thankful to Skip Ireland of Chattanooga Office Supply (COS) for donating new furniture for our remodeling. Skip has been a longtime friend of the Association, and we’re appreciative of his generosity and support.
I’m thankful for the Board Members I work with every year. This year’s Board Members are: Tim Mickel; Paul Hatcher; Hon. Christie Sell; Lee Davis; Craig Smith; Jeff Billings; Curtis Bowe; Neil Brunetz; Blair Cannon; Bill Colvin; Tracy Cox; and YLD Rep. Ellie Hill.
I’m thankful for the numerous business partnerships that have been established with the Association, and for the many friends I’ve made in the business community!
I’m thankful Wanda has been here for 14 years, and enjoys working for the Association!
I’m thankful I have a job I love and look forward to coming to each day!
I could add to the list of things I’m thankful for at WORK, but I’ll stop here. Of course, there would be pages of personal things I’m thankful for, but I’ll spare you the read!
Having said all of this, I’ll close by saying thank you to every member who provides not only support year after year but also, (and more importantly) your friendship! I look forward to another 20 years (well, that might be pushing it) with amazing members of an outstanding Association!