Editorial
Front Page - Friday, February 4, 2011
Chattanooga Bar convenes for 113th annual meeting
David Laprad
The Honorable Clarence Shattuck, Chattanooga Bar Association Executive Director Lynda Hood, CBA president Ira Long and Justice William Koch of the Tennessee Supreme Court pose for a photograph during the 113th annual CBA meeting, held Jan. 26, 2011 at the Chattanooga Marriott.
- Photo provided by Alex McMahan
For an organization to thrive for more than a century, it must be able to pass the reins from one generation to the next, making sure the integrity of its bylaws and traditions, as well as its spirit and sense of purpose, remain intact.
The Chattanooga Bar Assoc-iation has done this for 113 years. As its members convened on January 26 for their annual meeting, they looked back to honor those who were worthy of recognition and looked forward to the coming year.
But not before having something to eat.
As members of the Bar dug into their salads, then current, and now former, President John Rice called the meeting to order and asked the Honorable Sam Payne to offer the invocation. Payne prayed, “Bless the men and women gathered here today, who devote their lives to seeking justice for your people. Give them a spirit of wisdom and understanding that they may discern the truth.”
Rice then recognized the sponsors of the event, including First Tennessee Bank and the Hamilton County Herald.
Seated at the head table were: Payne; Rice; the Honorable Jeff Hollingsworth; then president elect, and now current president, Ira Long; Lynda Hood, executive director of the Bar; and Justice William Koch Jr.
Before recognizing the guests of the Bar, Rice introduced his wife, Mary, a cancer survivor.
“Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support while she went through therapy last year. Her hair is a little shorter, but she’s still with us,” Rice said.
Rice then thanked the board with which he worked in 2010, calling its members “convivial” and praising them for “getting a lot accomplished” while maintaining a sense of humor. Members included: Long; Hood; Robin Miller; the Honorable Barry Steelman, immediate past president; Rosemarie Bryan; Dean Clements; Paul Hatcher; Tim Mickel; Craig Smith; and Jason Demastus, president of the Young Lawyers Division.
Following a brief break to network, socialize and finish eating, Koch took the podium to “recognize and thank an everyday practicing lawyer who gives and has given a great deal of his time to improving the practice of law in this state.” The gentleman of whom he spoke was Hugh Moore, who served on the Advisory Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure for 15 years. Moore joined the Commission in 1995, became its chairman in 2001, and retired in 2009. Koch presented Moore with a resolution the members of the Commission who were serving when Moore retired had prepared.
In an attempt to create a legacy of hosting briskly paced meetings, Rice raced through the Bar’s 2010 awards presentation.
Demastus received the Young Lawyer’s Division Volunteer of the Year award for his ability to “excite, motivate and expand the group,” Rice said.
Attorney Lawyer Sheri Fox, chair of the Bar’s pro bono committee, received the Albert L. Hodge Volunteer Award.
Attorney Flossie Weill be-stowed the Harry Weill Zealous Practice of Law Award, named after her father, to Alan Cates, whom she called “energetic, enthusiastic, dignified and polite beyond measure.”
Rice gave the President’s Award to lawyer Patricia Best Vital, who coordinated and streamlined the fee arbitration program in 2010. Her contributions were voluntary.
Attorney Richard Buhrman received the Ralph H. Kelley Humanitarian Award. Buhrman is active in Boy Scouts and has a scholarship in his name at Duke University.
Rice closed the awards ceremony with a new honor: The Jac Chambliss Lifetime Achievement Award. The inau-gural recipient was Richard Ruth, who received a standing ovation for his efforts to facilitate access to justice. After he stopped working in 2002, Ruth petitioned the Tennessee Supreme Court to create a rule that allows retired attorneys to practice law on a strictly pro bono basis without having to pay the usual fees. In 2009, Ruth provided over 800 hours of pro bono service through Legal Aid of East Tennessee.
Following the awards ceremony, Rice recognized the Pillars of the Bar, members of the organization who have practiced law for more than 50 years while demonstrating the highest standards of excellence for the legal profession. A complete list of the names is listed on page 14 of the 2011 Membership Directory, which was distributed at the meeting.
The next order of business was the adoption of the new bylaws, which are available for viewing at www.chattbar.org. Rice said the revamped regulations are more condensed than the previous version, which he said contained out-of-date and irrelevant material. The Bar unanimously adopted the bylaws.
Rice then asked those in the room to approve the board for 2011, including President Long, President Elect Miller, Secretary Smith, Treasurer Bryan, and Immediate Past President Rice, as well board officers and governors including Clements, De-mastus, Hatcher, Mickel, Neil Brunetz, Everett Hixson Jr., and Barret Albritton.
Rice then said farewell, noting that during his term, membership increased slightly. He also encouraged his listeners to take advantage of the upcoming CLE seminars the Bar will be offering.
“It’s easy to do the online seminars, but your Bar needs you. Our seminars are [competitively priced], and we have excellent speakers,” he said.
Next, Hollingsworth administered the oath of office to Long, who then thanked the members of the Bar for entrusting him with the position of president.
“I’m humbled and delighted to have this opportunity. One never achieves a leadership position without the support of many people along the way,” he said.
Long called on the members of the Bar to do everything they can to strengthen the organization as they prepare to hand it down to the next generation of legal professionals. He then urged members to take advantage of the many benefits the Bar offers, including: social and networking events; high quality, low cost CLE programs; a free weekly copy of the Hamilton County Herald; and new discounts with Verizon Wireless, Staples and Global Crossing, an IP solutions provider.
Long also asked members to recruit their colleagues who are not a part of the organization; advised attorneys to register for CLIPs, which helps people to find a lawyer who can address their particular issue; and to take part in the Access to Justice program one morning per week in 2011.
“It’s an exciting service that will be a big help to people who
come to General Sessions Court to have their matters litigated. One out of seven people in Ham-ilton County in 2008 were living below the poverty line,” he said.
Long then closed the meeting with one last exhortation: “We need everyone’s help if we’re going to make the Chattanooga Bar Association stronger than it’s ever been.”
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