The Chattanooga Bar Association attended to yearly business during its 116th Annual Meeting, held Wednesday, Jan. 22 at Sheraton Read House. Lunch was served, awards were presented, and new leaders were installed for the upcoming year.
President Craig Miller opened the meeting with his customary blend of sincerity and humor, saying, "While the practice of law can be challenging, this past year has been a successful one for our members, and our organization remains strong. Its strength is reflected in the abilities of each of you, and it's good to see so many members of the Bar gathered in one place to reaffirm our commitment to this community. Though, with so many of us here, should some calamity strike, some might call this a good start, as my wife lovingly pointed out to me this morning."
Before proceeding, Miller recognized the sponsors of the meeting, which included new sponsor First Bank, represented by Sam Jones, Ryan Marshall, Jim McKenzie, and Melinda Hicks, and returning sponsors the Hamilton County Herald, represented by Susanne Reed and David Laprad, and LEXUS of Chattanooga.
After recognizing the members of the judiciary who were present and thanking the 2013 Board of Governors, Miller called upon the Reverend and Honorable Sam Payne to deliver the invocation. Lunch came next.
Miller then resumed the proceedings with a presentation of a portrait of Judge Charles Fleming Keith, Hamilton County's first Circuit Court judge, who served from 1820 to 1853. The portrait is the first of the judge to hang in the Hamilton County Courthouse. Paul Deitrich commissioned and donated it. The portrait will hang in Judge W. Neil Thomas' courtroom.
Judge Thomas' son, Michael Thomas, the 2013 president of the Young Lawyers Division of the Bar, then presented YLD Volunteer of the Year Awards to Kirby Yost and Eric Burnette. Thomas called Yost, the YLD social chair, "instrumental" in setting up social events and fundraisers, and praised Burnette for his work spearheading the CASA Juvenile Library Project and for participating in the Wills for Heroes and the Backpack Program.
Albert L. Hodge Volunteer Award
More annual awards followed. The Albert L. Hodge Volunteer Award is presented each year to "a member who has given exemplary service to both the Bar and the Chattanooga legal community as a whole." In presenting Paul Hatcher as the recipient, Miller said Hatcher has shown consistent dedication to the Bar and the local community at large, donating his time to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the Great Chattanooga Association of Realtors, and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Speech & Hearing Center. His hours of service to the Bar included participation on its Fee Dispute Committee, sitting on the Board of Governors, and serving as the Bar secretary in 2013.
Harry Weill Zealous
Practice of Law Award
Flossie Weill, daughter of Harry Weill, presented the Zealous Practice of Law Award, given each year to "a member whose enthusiastic service to clients is worthy of praise, and whose polite and dignified manner, even in the most contentious situations, provides a model of civility that is worthy of emulation."
Regarding the recipient, William Aiken, Jr., she said, "[He] can be singled out for his dedication to consistently achieving superior results for his clients in a variety of business law disciplines. Despite his zealous advocacy in negotiations on behalf of his clients, he consistently approaches everyone involved in a matter with the ultimate grace and tact."
Aiken's dedication has also spilled over to his community through service on boards, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library.
Jac Chambliss Lifetime Achievement Award
The Jac Chambliss Lifetime Achievement Award, which Miller presented next, recognizes "a member of the Bar who demonstrates the highest standards of excellence for the legal profession; facilitates access to the justice system; serves and supports the community; stimulates a feeling of respect, esteem, and fellowship among the members of the profession; maintains the highest standards of ethics among the members; demonstrates a commitment to clients; represents the highest tradition of personal and professional excellence in Hamilton County; devotes significant resources to activities that benefit the community, and overall has enhanced the esteem of attorneys in Hamilton County."
With this impressive list of criteria, Miller announced Paul Leitner as the recipient, saying, "[He] has not only met those high standards but also, in most cases, set the benchmarks on them for generations to come. … Many of us here have become better attorneys by watching him practice law, and one cannot think about the practice of law in Chattanooga without thinking of him as one of its living legends."
Tom Williams accepted on Chambliss' behalf.
President's Award
The President's Award is given to that person "who has provided the Bar president with sound advice, assistance, and guidance during his or her year as president."
Miller presented the award, with pleasure, to Lee Davis, whom he called "an invaluable asset to the Bar."
Throughout the past year, Davis assisted with numerous Bar programs, led fundraising efforts for portraits of retiring judges, and spearheaded the revisions of the Bar's "When You Become Eighteen" booklet, which will be distributed to all high school seniors in the county.
Ralph H. Kelley
Humanitarian Award
The Ralph H. Kelley Humanitarian Award is given to that member of the legal profession or judiciary who has "displayed exemplary service to the Chattanooga community through civic, professional, and other activities directed toward the improvement and preservation of the lives, property, and dignity of its citizens."
Of the recipient, Mike N. St. Charles, Miller said, "In addition to his leadership in his firm and a strong legal practice, this year's recipient also finds time to serve on the Boards of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, United Way of Greater Chattanooga, and Northside Neighbor House. He also is immediate past chair of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. Hopefully, through his efforts in that capacity, all of us will see increased workloads in the years to come as new businesses locate to Chattanooga."
2014 Board of Governors
Miller then called for those present to install new leaders and the Board of Governors for 2014. Those nominated and unanimously approved included: President-Elect Paul Hatcher; the Honorable Christie Sell as secretary; Treasurer Lee Davis; Board Member Jeff Billings, for a three-year term; Board Member Curtis Lee Bowe, for a three-year term; Board Member Neal Pinkston, for a two-year term, serving the remainder of Lee Davis' term; and Board Member Tracy Cox, for a one-year term, serving the remainder of Judge Sell's term.
Hail to the chief
As his final act as president of the Bar, Miller called upon Judge Thomas to swear in Tim Mikel as president for the upcoming year.
A native of Rhea County and a graduate of Vanderbilt and the University of Tennessee College of Law, Mikel has practiced in Chattanooga since 1996, after clerking for Judges David Farmer and Holly Lillard following his graduation from law school.
Mikel is a member of Evans, Harrison, and Hackett, where he enjoys a successful litigation practice.
In addition to his practice and his service with the Bar, Mikel has been active in a variety of other legal organizations, including a recent term as president of the Ray L. Brock and Robert E. Cooper American Inn of Court. Mikel is also a 2010 graduate of the Tennessee Bar Association's Leadership Law program.
Over and above his service to the legal community, Mikel has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Greater Chattanooga.
Mikel and his wife, Julie, who was present at the meeting, have two children and reside on Signal Mountain.
"The CBA is lucky to have Tim as its incoming president, and I'm sure you'll agree with me that the Bar will be in good hands under his leadership," Miller said.
New president's first words
Taking the podium as plates were cleared, Mikel said he's honored to have been elected to serve as president and looks forward to his year of service. He also took a cue from Miller in using humor to disarm his audience.
"Many of you have served as mentors. I appreciate you all so much," he said. "I also see a few of you who have tested my last nerve. You know who you are. Most of you are my law partners."
Mikel also thanked his wife for her support and Miller for his service before speaking briefly about what he hopes the Bar will accomplish during his term. His plans including continuing to work closely with the Bar's sponsors, holding debates for various contested federal, state, and local elections, and looking for ways for the members of the Bar to go into local schools to teach younger children about the role of the law, the courts, and lawyers in society.
"In the guise of entertaining mock trials and other similar exercises conducted by lawyers themselves, we would emphasize the importance of good decision-making and the positive roles of the courts and of lawyers," he said.
Mikel said the Bar also hopes to look for more engaging ways to present the "When You Become Eighteen" booklet to high school seniors.
In closing, Mikel thanked everyone for their service and called for their support in the upcoming year.
With that, the meeting was adjourned, and attorneys and judges alike returned to the business and the practice of the law.
Source: Some material derived from Miller's and Mikel's notes for the event