Of all the reasons to be a member of the Chattanooga Bar Association, perhaps the greatest is the ability to connect with colleagues and friends from throughout the legal community.
After all, the very definition of “association” is the coming together of persons having common interests and purposes.
Our purpose is to work for the betterment of the legal profession and the administration of justice; to take an active interest in governmental affairs; to stimulate a feeling of respect, esteem and good fellowship among members of the bar; and to provide and promote legal education of the legal community and the public at large.
We are proud of the good work our lawyers do for the benefit of the entire community, and the vital role attorneys and judges play in defending freedom and the rule of law.
We provide a range of member benefits, including a weekly copy of the Hamilton County Herald. We maintain a variety of perks with local companies that give our members the tools they need to operate their law practices, including reduced banking rates, errors and omissions insurance, website design, fitness and health discounts, car discounts, law office resources, mobile phone discounts and more.
Also, our social networking events allow members to get to know one another in a relaxed atmosphere of collegiality and good will, which ultimately benefits their clients and results in longtime, close personal relationships.
Some of our social activities include the annual meeting, Law Day luncheon, golf tournament, Tennessee Supreme Court reception and monthly Young Lawyers Division networking socials. Other YLD events benefit CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the Backpack Project.
This fall, we will host the retirement celebration of the Hon. W. Neil Thomas, III, a membership social at Land Rover Chattanooga and the Legislative Update Seminar with the reception immediately following.
Moreover, we have committees and sections that meet to provide our members a means of staying current with changes in the law and discussing common goals and interests in their chosen area of practice. Committees have been formed to oversee our mentoring program, fee dispute arbitration, the unauthorized practice of law, the Lawyer Referral Service, court relations, legislative matters and more.
For those who know someone who might be experiencing problems with alcohol, substance abuse, mental health issues, or other related issues, our Lawyers Assistance Committee offers valuable support, education and referrals.
We also offer over 50 hours of continuing legal education courses. Upcoming seminars include “From the Nixon White House to Trump Tower: A unique look at executive power, judicial appointments and the back story of Roe v. Wade;” “Professionalism in a time of declining confidence in our courts;” and “ Schoolfield: Out of the Ashes.’’
Read your emails and the Hamilton County Herald for details on our CLE seminars covering the following topics:
- Ethics
- Real estate
- Criminal law
- Legislative update
- Medical malpractice
- Labor and employment
- Balancing life and work
- Legal technology update
- Avoiding the pitfalls of social media
Board of Professional Responsibility update
In addition, our members volunteer their time, knowledge and talent to better our community, and are committed to public service through our Lawyer Referral Service and the Mock Trial Competition for high school students.
Furthermore, our website at www.chattanoogabar.org is a superb roadmap for exploring the countless resources of the association and tapping into the brightest minds in this legal community.
But perhaps most importantly, we work in a noble profession that positively impacts the quality of life in our society on a daily basis. Thank you for being a member of this 118-year old association and for all you do in “service to clients, service to the community and service to the members.”
Events calendar
- Sept. 14 – Membership social at Land Rover Jaguar at Auto Square in Chattanooga
- Oct. 5 – Retirement celebration for the Hon. W. Neil Thomas, III at Baylor School
- Nov. 2 – Legislative reception at One Northshore (7th floor Club Room)
Lynda Minks Hood is executive director of the Chattanooga Bar Association. She can be reached at LHood@chattanoogabar.org.