The Knoxville Bar Association sent a survey of KBA members in private practice on Tuesday, July 14 to learn about law firm operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members were asked to complete the six-question survey by 5 pm on July 15. The complete survey results can be found here.
Summary:
The KBA announces our participation in the “21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge ©,” and we invite you to join us. The 21-Day Challenge was created by diversity expert Eddie Moore, Jr. to advance deeper understandings of the intersections of race, power, privilege, supremacy, and oppression. We will be kicking our participation off on July 24 and the participants will receive a daily email reminder.
The KBA plans to follow the syllabus created by the ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law. The goal of the Challenge is to assist each of us to become more aware, compassionate, constructive, engaged people in the quest for racial equity. It transcends our roles as lawyers. It is, of course, completely voluntary to do, and participation in the Challenge shall not be construed as agreement with every word of every assignment nor a commitment by any person to a particular professional position or strategy. Further, participants are free to opt-out of participating along the way. There is no grade at the end of the Challenge. While it is not the intention of the Challenge to cause offense, some participants may be offended by some language used in the lessons.
The Challenge invites participants to complete a syllabus of 21 short assignments (typically taking 15-30 minutes), over 21 weekdays, that include readings, videos, or podcasts. It has been intentionally crafted to focus on the Black American experience. The assignments seek to expose participants to perspectives on elements of Black history, identity and culture, and to the Black community’s experience of racism in America. Even this focus on Black Americans cannot possibly highlight all of the diversity of experiences and opinions within the Black community itself, much less substitute for learnings about any other community of color. This syllabus is but an introduction to what we hope will be a rewarding journey that extends far beyond the limits of this project.
Learn more and sign up to participate.
For Immediate Release June 25, 2020 Contact: Marsha Watson, KBA Executive Director (865) 522-6522
KNOXVILLE BAR ASSOCIATION RELEASES RESULTS OF CANDIDATE MEMBER SURVEY
Knoxville, Tenn.— June 25, 2020 – The Knoxville Bar Association today released the results of its Candidate Member Survey for the contested races related to the justice system on the August 6 ballot. The Survey asked each member of the Knoxville Bar Association to carefully assess whether the candidates have demonstrated the knowledge, skill, experience, training, education, professional ethics, and temperament to fulfill the duties of the offices to which they aspire. The Survey is designed to provide a measure of guidance to voters who might otherwise be unfamiliar with the candidates.
The Survey asked members to evaluate each candidate’s overall suitability for the offices of Knox County Public Defender and Knox County Law Director. Every member was asked to rate each candidate according to the following options: Strongly Recommend, Recommend, Do Not Recommend, Strongly Do Not Recommend and, Do Not Know Candidate. If an attorney did not know the candidates’ qualifications or had no opinion, he/she was instructed to mark “do not know candidate.”
“The intent is not to endorse any particular candidate, but rather to inform the public of the opinions of many of the attorneys actively practicing in East Tennessee regarding candidates’ fitness to serve in the judicial and related offices to which they are seeking election. The Knoxville Bar Association is pleased to provide this service to members of our community who have few if any encounters with the court system,” said Knoxville Bar Association President Hanson Tipton about the KBA’s Membership Survey policy. “An informed electorate is vital to the efficient administration of justice.”
The Survey was conducted electronically from June 15 to June 25, 2020. Four hundred sixty-three KBA members participated in the survey.
Knoxville Bar Association CANDIDATE MEMBER SURVEY June 15-25, 2020 Total Ballots Received: 463
Knox Co. Public Defender
Strongly Recommend
Recommend
Do Not Recommend
Strongly Do Not Recommend
Do Not Know Candidate
Weighted Average
Sherif Guindi
49
52
48
21
293
2.76
Eric M. Lutton
124
95
15
9
220
3.37
Knox County Law Director
David L. Buuck
112
121
35
34
161
3.03
Jackson M. Fenner
36
50
53
30
294
2.54
The East Tennessee Children's Hospital is asking for help from the community to bring joy to children currently staying at the hospital, and the KBA would like to help. Due to the pandemic, children are not allowed inside of the hospital's play areas. The hospital is asking the community to help by donating new toys that children can play with in their rooms.
If you would like to donate new toys, you can drop off new toys at Children's Hospital or use the Amazon wish list below. If you decide to drop off toys, please park outside of the hospital Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. and give them a call at 541-8136 and they will come pick up the donations.
The link to Children’s Hospital’s Amazon wish list is: https://smile.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/4DOD36PQ5L59/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_ws_.E2-zbBDKHHYA
These are the toys and craft items most requested by patients:
Programs Administrator
The Knoxville Bar Association is an active membership association of approximately 2,000 local attorneys and law students. This position offers the right technology-adept individual the opportunity to execute membership communications, assist in updating the organization’s website, and support member partners and sponsors. The work includes communicating with members, coordinating publications, managing events, data entry, and managing digital marketing campaigns. Small, friendly and fast-paced office environment. Full-time, salary up to $34k depending on experience; health benefits and 401K offered.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, data management, communications or other related field
We are looking for someone who has the following demonstrated skills and abilities:
Interested applicants should submit resume, cover letter with 3 professional references, and salary history for the past 10 years by June 19 to mwatson@knoxbar.org or to Knoxville Bar Association, P.O. Box 2027, Knoxville TN 37901-2027. Applicants should include a detailed explanation of experience with communications and any and all prior involvement with non-profit organizations, volunteer coordination, and database management.
The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) is pleased to announce the release of an update to the “Legal Resource Guide – Finding Legal Assistance in Knoxville,” a directory of legal service and information providers in our community. This 20-page resource includes information about government agencies, nonprofits, pro bono organizations, and others who help to ensure that all citizens have equal access to justice.
The Legal Resource Guide is compiled from information gathered by the Knoxville Bar Association staff from the agencies and offices listed therein. The KBA is grateful for the assistance of the many offices who responded to our requests for updated information, and their generosity in sharing information about their respective organizations with the public.
The Legal Resource Guide is available for online viewing or download from the KBA website at www.knoxbar.org/LRG. The full array of information and services provided to the public by the KBA is available at www.knoxbar.org/legalhelp.
We know that members of the public rely on quality access to appropriate legal services. The Knoxville Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) offers experience, integrity, and a commitment to public service. The Knoxville Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service may be reached online at www.knoxbar.org/LRIS or by telephone at (865) 522-7501 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The LRIS receives nearly 7,000 calls each year from potential clients and averages nearly 3,000 referrals. Panel members have generated over $2.4 million in attorney fees in the last two years. Potential clients who contact the LRIS are informed that participating attorneys provide a phone or office consultation at no charge, but that panel members independently set their own fees.
LRIS currently has 78 panel member attorneys in 26 practice areas. The average LRIS member has practiced for 20 years. We have attorneys in their first few years of practice all the way to 52 years in practice. LRIS Panel Membership Application FY 2020-21 LRIS Policies & Procedures
MEDIA RELEASE
Still No In-Person Clinics, but Knoxville Bar Association Offers Online Legal Information during the COVID-19 Pandemic For Immediate Release Contact: Marsha Watson, KBA Executive Director or Tracy Chain, Lawyer Referral & Information Service Administrator (865) 522-6522 In accordance with guidelines from the CDC, Governor Bill Lee, the Knox County Health Department, and local governmental bodies, all legal advice clinics previously scheduled for May remain cancelled. Going forward, as circumstances permit, rescheduled clinics will be posted on the Upcoming Legal Clinics page of the Knoxville Bar Association’s website, and updated information will be communicated at that time.
The Knoxville Bar Association has established and is regularly updating a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources page on its public website, www.TNLawyerFinder.org. In the meantime, individuals with legal questions are encouraged to visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources page at www.TNLawyerFinder.org. We know that members of the public rely on quality access to appropriate legal services, especially at this time. The Knoxville Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) offers experience, integrity, and a commitment to public service. COVID-19 has caused additional needs in the areas of contract disputes, employment, insurance, housing, court accessibility, estate/probate, medical accessibility, and business, just to name a few. As always, our team remains available by telephone and online request. Many legal services can be handled remotely. We encourage members of the public who use our service during this time to connect with referred attorneys by telephone and electronically, and encourage our participating attorneys to do the same. The Knoxville Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service may be reached online at www.TNLawyerFinder.org or by telephone at (865)522-7501 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you think you need a lawyer, chances are, you do. But what if you are really not sure? What if you don’t feel ready to discuss your issue, or know what questions you should ask?
The Knoxville Bar Association developed LawLine Online to assist potential clients in determining if they have a matter for which an attorney is needed, or if another type of assistance is needed. In June 1999, with the help of the local courts, governmental and community service organizations and more than thirty-five members of the Knoxville Bar Association, LawLine Online originally became a reality. Thirty-one years later, LawLine Online contains more than 70 topics, grouped in 16 major categories to aid in understanding common legal problems, recognizing potential legal problems, and understanding how the justice system works. If further help is needed, there is information to assist. LawLine material is regularly reviewed for accuracy by attorney volunteers, and as needed when changes occur to Tennessee law. The messages are written in a straightforward, easy-to-understand manner using everyday language. Not intended to replace the advice of an attorney or provide specific legal advice, LawLine Online can nevertheless provide general information and assist those who aren’t sure where to go for help, or even what kind of help they may need. Click Here to access LawLine Online.
.jpg){kind=logo}
