Chattanooga Bar Association: Committees of the Chattanooga Bar Association

Committees of the Chattanooga Bar Association

Alternative Dispute Resolution - Patricia Best Vital, Chairperson

The ADR Committee promotes, explores and develops methods for mediation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolutions. It also works in conjunction with community groups providing alternate dispute resolution at a cost less than the judicial process.

Fee Dispute/Arbitration - Patricia Best Vital, Chairperson

This committee shall consist of at least six (6) members. Its duty shall be as follows:

(a) JURISDICTION. This committee shall consider only such disputes as are referred by the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors will not entertain and will not refer any dispute unless one of the disputants has filed a written, signed complaint. Nor will it refer disputes originating:

1. In undecided cases pending in any court or administrative agency, except upon request of the court or agency.

2. In cases wherein a court or agency has mandatory or discretionary power to fix fees, except upon request of the court or agency.

3. Before the Lawyer Referral Committee.

(b) RECONCILIATION. Recognizing that fee disputes ofttimes result from misunderstanding, the committee shall through investigation, first attempt to clarify any misunderstanding and amicably reconcile disputes.

(c) ARBITRATION. Failing in reconciliation, the committee shall suggest arbitration to the disputants pursuant to T.C.A. 23-501 to 519, but failure to agree upon arbitration shall not preclude a hearing.

(d) HEARING. Hearing of disputes may be conducted by panels of not less than three (3) members. All hearings shall be conducted privately. A panel sitting in any case may, upon motion of any of its members or upon motion of any party, impose the rules of evidence normally used in Tennessee courts. The committee may avail itself of such appropriate reportorial and stenographic services as may be approved by the Board of Governors. Each member of a panel hearing a dispute shall be allowed to examine witnesses and parties may be adjourned or continued as necessary to obtain just and equitable resolutions of disputes.

(e) FINDINGS. In the absence of objection from any disputant, the hearing committee may announce its findings at the conclusion of the hearing. If disputants accept the finding, the dispute shall stand reconciled. Otherwise, the full committee shall consider the dispute and prepare written findings, furnishing copies to each disputant.

(f) REPORT. Within thirty (30) days from receipt of the referral the committee shall report its findings and recommendation to the Board of Governors, along with its record, including the details on any suspected unethical conduct by any attorney.

Civility - Fielding Atchley, Chairperson

This committee serves to make a positive contribution to the promotion of civility in the legal profession in Hamilton County.

Continuing Legal Education - Neil Brunetz, Chairperson

This committee shall consist of at least six (6) members, who shall reflect all areas of law practice. It shall make a continuing study of all substantive, procedural and administrative laws as interpreted by courts and agencies, and shall maintain close liaison with the comparable committee of the Tennessee Bar Association and The American Bar Association. The committee shall also maintain contact with the Joint Committee on Continuing Legal Education of the American Law Institute. It shall continuously solicit suggestions from members of the Association as to areas of the law wherein additional education is desired, and shall conduct periodic seminars in areas found to be of particular interest and importance, especially in regard to new laws and decisions and in areas most beneficial to young lawyers. It shall report through the Association’s Periodical such news as may be of interest by way of continuing legal education. Finally, the committee is responsible for the program for the monthly luncheon of the Chattanooga Bar Association.

Court Relations - Steve Jacoway, Chairperson

This committee shall consist of at least four (4) members, predominantly mature lawyers, reflecting all areas of law practice. Its duty shall be to: maintain constant communication with all courts at all levels, including the District Attorney and all law enforcement agencies; offer, voluntarily and as requested, advice on all matters of procedure, court rules, court housing, jail facilities, treatment of prisoners and jury selection and treatment, both grand and petit; investigate complaints against judges and court clerks and their ministerial officers and attendants in the conduct of their offices and report its findings in writing to the Board of Governors with recommendation; encourage public respect for the court system as the constitutional arbiter of individual and community rights; and arrange and conduct appropriate ceremonies upon the installation of judges.

Diversity Opportunities - Chantelle Roberson, Chairperson

The Diversity Opportunities Committee will foster in the Chattanooga legal community a climate of awareness of the particular needs of the minority lawyers and to implement programs designed to ensure that every attorney will have the opportunity to succeed professionally and participate in the affairs of the legal community without regard to race, color, creed, religion or gender.

Law Related Education - James M. Haley, IV, Chairperson

Law Related Education provides for pairing law firms/attorneys with teachers from schools in Hamilton County , City, Private and Home Schools.

Law Academy at Red Bank High School
Reading at Hillcrest Elementary School

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers - Arthur C. Grisham, Jr., Chairperson

The purpose of this committee is to provide assistance to lawyers suffering from alcoholism, addiction or other mental or emotional problems that impair the lawyers’ ability to practice law.

Legislative - Morgan Adams, Chairperson

This committee shall consist of at least eight (8) members. It is not a duty of this committee to initiate legislation, but rather to cooperate with appropriate committees in the drafting of legislation approved by the Board of Governors and to lobby its passage. It shall maintain constant liaison with the Legislative Delegation from Hamilton County and shall keep abreast of legislation pending in the General Assembly of Tennessee affecting the legal profession and the judicial system and other legislation in which the legal profession should have an advisory interest, and shall report in writing to the Board of Governors its findings and recommendations regarding all such legislation.

Memorial - Max Bahner, Chairperson

This committee shall consist of at least eight (8) members, predominately mature lawyers. Its duty shall be to prepare suitable resolutions regarding deceased members for approval by the Board of Governors. Such resolutions shall be furnished to the decedents’ immediate families and included in a memorial book to be maintained under the supervision of the Board of Governors by such committee. At the annual membership meeting, the committee shall offer an appropriate resolution in memory of all members dying during the previous year.

Pro Bono - Sherry Fox, Chairperson

The Chattanooga Bar Association and Legal Aid of East Tennessee have worked together in a cooperative venture to establish and operate a volunteer lawyer program for the purpose of providing legal assistance to the poor. The Volunteer Lawyers Program was established on April 1, 1989, and continues, in order to insure that all individuals, regardless of income, enjoy equal access to, and equality before, the law. Since that time, the program has been funded and administered by LAET, and has operated with the cooperation of CBA lawyers by giving their time by taking the client cases pro bono and by assisting in the in-take procedures.

Unauthorized Practice of Law - W. Ferber Tracy, Chairperson

This committee shall consist of at least four (4) members, whose duty shall be to: investigate all reports, and complaints of unauthorized legal practice by non-lawyers, corporations, banks, insurance companies, real estate agents, collection agencies, or any other persons or agencies, and lawyers who abet such practice. If any unauthorized practitioner fails or refuses to cease and desist, the committee shall report its findings to the Board of Governors with recommendation.

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