The selection of Robin Miller as clerk and master in 2014 was the easy part. There were several qualified applicants. After interviewing each, Chancellor Frank Brown, newly elected Chancellor Pam Fleenor and I considered, reflected and gave deep thought to the issue – for at least three minutes – before making our choice.
And then came Robin.
Even if her numerous accomplishments are recorded elsewhere, I suspect they are but dry and accurate factual accounts. Where is the fun in that? I feel compelled, in the tradition of Paul Harvey, to share “the rest of the story.”
First and foremost, Ms. Miller has been the “left wing” to my “right wing.” One can only speculate how such an intelligent and articulate individual would lean, with such zeal, to the left on political and social issues. Perhaps it was her parents? Her social work background? Her years of immersion in an adversarial system of justice?
Regardless, and regardless of my frequent attempts to enlighten her, on an almost daily basis we have had spirited discussions. She and her “warm and fuzzy” liberal ideas. Me with my realistic, conservative positions. Try as hard I could, I have failed in my attempts at evangelical conservatism. She continues to be caring and devoted to all, including those who need it most.
Next, we have the mediation program. Yes, she has done hundreds. Yes, she has succeeded with great consistency. But where did it start?
Maybe, just maybe, several years ago, there was a chancellor who was becoming borderline impatient with a couple of divorce litigants. Maybe said chancellor took a break from the trial – better to “break” than “incarcerate” – and walked over to the clerk’s office and said, “Robin, old friend, old buddy, old pal. What would you think about working with a couple of folks in a mediation?”
She immediately agreed and, soon thereafter, a case was settled. Everyone walked out happy, particularly a certain chancellor. The next thing you know, I was sending her more and more cases. Other judges jumped on the bandwagon. It became truly successful, yet all the while, Robin has maintained the highest quality and efficiency in the clerk’s office.
Perhaps then we have effective steps to stop the lying and cheating and stealing in probate? Bad guys would run off with estate property or money. The theft would leave the estate and remaining heirs with nothing. In addition, without money, there was no way for the estate attorney to “go after” the bad guys.
Working with Rheubin Taylor, Robin and I presented an idea to the County Commission. They agreed. Hamilton County is now the only county in the state – or anywhere else, to my knowledge – that has a specific mechanism, the “Defalcation Fund,” to incentivize attorneys to go after the bad guys.
The fund fronts the costs and attorney’s fees to get a judgment against the bad guys. Collection of the judgments replenishes the fund. Insolvent estates become less insolvent and the bad guys don’t get away with theft. Robin has administered the fund as clerk and master. Bad guys, beware.
But wait – there’s more!
How about stopping theft on the “front end” of a probate? Between working to establish a county receiver (it took amending the Tennessee Code to do that) and requiring the net sales of real property in an estate be paid into the registry (rather than a title company releasing the money to a bad guy), Robin has worked tirelessly to ensure that estates are handled properly and that the heirs receive what they are entitled to.
As Robin will be the first to admit, she has had a lot of help. Lee Akers, prior clerk and master, was excellent and left a strong legacy of integrity and efficiency. Incoming clerk and master, Rachael Kapperman, has been Robin’s right hand and will be in a great position to keep the “great” going strong.
Regardless of the help, however, it is Robin who has been instrumental in “raising the bar” at the clerk’s office, particularly in terms of the level of assistance extended to litigants and attorneys. Our county has been truly blessed with Robin as clerk and master.
But what about ME?! How DARE she choose to desert ME in MY hour of need!
Upon reflection, how could she not? She is leaving an office in great shape with great people. She has a loving husband (I got your back, Bob), children and grandchildren that, apparently, seem rather fond of her. Perhaps, maybe, they deserve a bit of her.
In the heat of battle (fondly known as work in Chancery Court and the Clerk and Master’s Office), we sometimes forget that there is life outside the Courthouse.
To close, “the rest of the story” is that I have a friend in Robin. Not just an acquaintance, not just a co-worker, not just a sparring-partner – a friend.
Even in the face of our frequent disagreements on political and social issues, our views on the law are the same (and, coincidentally, accurate). Her loyalty to me as chancellor, particularly in the face of folks who might be less than kind, is recognized and appreciated.
I truly wish my friend (and Bob and the rest of her family) all the best – and I am extraordinarily thankful that even though she’ll be taking a break, she won’t be far away.
Thank you, Robin.