Editorial
Front Page - Friday, February 5, 2010
Chattanooga Bar Association holds its annual meeting
David Laprad
If the annual Chattanooga Bar Association meeting, held Wednesday, January 20 at the Sheraton Read House, is any indication, speed and efficiency will rule the courts of law in 2010. In a manner that would put the organizers of the Academy Awards to shame, the Bar consumed lunch, tended to yearly business and dispatched several honors in what could be record time.
The hour began in customary fashion, with The Honorable Barry Steelman, Bar president, calling the meeting to order and recognizing its sponsors, including First Tennessee, IPSCO and this newspaper. Next, the Rev. and Honorable Sam Payne provided the invocation, asking “Almighty God to bless the courts of justice in this and every land.” Steelman then introduced the judges present, the head table and the Board of Governors.
Next, Secretary-Treasurer Ira Long supplied the Bar’s financial report, describing the organization’s balance sheets as “in the black.”
Once the meal was underway, Steelman called on Jason Demastus, president elect of the Young Lawyers Division, to present the Young Lawyer of the Year Award. Demastus announced David McDowell of Gearhiser, Peters, Lockaby, Cavett & Elliott as the recipient, calling him a “very deserving individual” and identifying his work with the local mock trial program and an annual golf tournament that benefits Orange Grove Center as instrumental in his selection.
Steelman then announced the winner of the Albert L. Hodge Volunteer Award, given each year to an attorney who has provided exemplary service to the legal community. This year, the Bar honored Hal Clements of Miller & Martin, with Steelman noting the considerable amount of time the attorney has devoted to fee dispute resolution.
“He epitomizes the spirit of volunteerism through his professional approach without regard to compensation,” Steelman said, reading the words of Pat Vital, chair of the fee dispute committee. “He regularly and generously offers his time to serve in the fee dispute program, and always brings his years of collected wisdom and keen insight into crafting fair, balanced and impartial decisions that cement the integrity and value of the program.”
Steelman then called on Flossie Weill to present the honor given in remembrance of her father, the Harry Weill Zealous Practice of Law Award, given annually to a member of the Bar whose energetic and enthusiastic service to clients is worthy of praise, and whose polite and dignified manner, even in contentious situations, provides a model of civility worthy of emulation.
“This year’s recipient needs no introduction in our legal circles, and his outstanding service to the Bar and his community deserves more time than we have. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of this award,” Steelman said as he called Max Bahner of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel to the front of the room. A lengthy standing ovation accompanied Bahner to where Weill stood holding the honor.
Next on the agenda was the presentation of the Ralph H. Kelley Humanitarian Award, with Charles Gearhiser announcing the winner. The honor is given each year to a member of the legal profession or a judicial officer who’s displayed outstanding service to the local community through activities intended to preserve and improve the lives, property and dignity of its citizens. “The committee that was supposed to select the Ralph H. Kelley Humanitarian Award got confused and selected the Ralph H. Kelley Curmudgeon Award,” Gearhiser said as he revealed Jerry Summers of Summers & Wyatt as the recipient.
“Jerry has given to his community in so many ways,” Gearhiser said while reading three pages of notes on the life, career and charitable contributions of his friend and colleague.
As Summers was not present due to travel plans, Sam Anderson of Luther & Anderson accepted the award for him. “On behalf of my brothers and sisters of the Bar, who on a daily basis participate in our community in every kind of humanitarian service, I humbly and meekly accept this award,” Anderson said, reading a note from Summers.
Summers also asked Anderson let everyone know he was not on a hunting, fishing or boating trip.
With most of the awards announced, Steelman reclaimed the podium to lead the voting in of new board members. Added by acclamation were new Secretary Treasurer Robin Miller of Gearhiser, Peters, Lockaby, Cavett & Elliott; Dean Clements of Spears, Moore, Rebman & Williams; Paul Hatcher of Duncan, Hatcher & Hixson; and Timothy Mickel of Husch Blackwell Sanders.
Steelman then presented The 2010 President’s Award to Lynda Hood, executive director of the Bar, in appreciation for her accomplishments throughout the year, including her work to increase the membership of the association, coordinate numerous Bar and Continuing Legal Education events, launch the online pictorial directory and establish the Chattanooga Lawyers Information Provider Service.
“She is the face of the association and in many ways its arms, legs and heartbeat,” Steelman said. “I know she’ll say she was just doing her job, but a job done with excellence should be awarded.”
Steelman then offered his final remarks as president of the Bar. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve you,” he said. “It’s given me a better perspective of the work the Bar does on a day-to-day basis. I believe it’s important to serve in some capacity. We all search for significance, and I encourage you to find it in service to others.”
Payne then returned to the podium to swear in the Bar’s new president, attorney John Rice. “It’s a pleasure for me to swear in John,” he said. “He’s a good friend and a great lawyer.”
Rice began his remarks by introducing several members of his family, who had traveled to Chattanooga from a number of surrounding states. “The Rices will go anywhere for a free lunch,” he said.
The new president kept his comments short, saying he plans to continue the Bar’s efforts to secure additional members and advance the CLE program. He also invited current members to inform him of any issues they’d like to see the association address. In addition, Rice said he’d like the Bar to begin thinking about how it can address the problems young attorneys are facing as they enter a profession on which the recession has had a profound effect.
“I look forward to serving you,” Rice said as he picked up the mantle from Steelman.
Payne then brought the meeting to an end with the benediction, during which he prayed, “Help us to keep in mind that our profession is for the betterment of people and to stay steadfast in the right way of doing things.”
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