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 21-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.
On July 1, 2021, the Knox County Circuit, Chancery, Probate, Juvenile and General Civil Sessions Court Clerk’s offices will be using the schedule of fees included in T.C.A. 8-21-401 for all fees and court costs. The courts’ fees had previously been controlled by T.C.A. 8-21-409. The Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill deleting that code - effective July 1, 2021 - during the current legislative session. The change brings the fees charged by all Knox County courts into alignment with the other 94 counties in the State of Tennessee.
Circuit Court Fee Schedule Civil Sessions Fee Schedule Chancery Court Fee Schedule Updated 6/23/21 Probate Fee Schedule
The revised fee schedules, except for juvenile court, can be reviewed at the respective webpages of the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk and the Knox County Chancery Court at https://knoxcounty.org/circuit/ and https://knoxcounty.org/chancery/.
Copies of the new fee schedules are also available at the clerk’s offices.
One significant difference is that under T.C.A. 8-21-401 costs are charged and collected at the time the services are requested, except as otherwise provided in the code.
The KBA Lawyer Referral and Information Service is a key tool for growing your practice. The LRIS new fiscal year will start on July 1, 2021 - join now to benefit from a full 12 months of quality client leads at one low price. Discounts are available for those practicing less than 5 years. For more details about the LRIS, visit www.knoxbar.org/joinLRIS.
The LRIS receives nearly 7,000 calls each year from potential clients and refers over 3,000 referrals annually. Panel members earned more than $1.08 million in attorney fees in 2020. 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 84 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 54 years in practice. LRIS Panel Membership Application FY 2021-22 LRIS Policies & Procedures
On March 2, 2021, Choosing Justice Initiative, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Tennessee Post-Conviction Defender Organization (collectively the “Petitioners”) filed a petition asking the Court to modify Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 13, sections 5(a)(1) and 5(d)(1). On March 22, 2021, the Court filed an order asking Petitioners to submit a supplemental filing setting forth the specific suggested modifications to the language of Rule 13 that it urged this Court to adopt. The Petitioners filed a supplemental filing on May 18, 2021. Written comments are due by Thursday, August 19, 2021.
Click here to view the Order.
On March 2, 2021, Choosing Justice Initiative, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Tennessee Post-Conviction Defender Organization (collectively the “Petitioners”) filed a petition asking the Court to vacate or modify Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 13, sections 5(e)(4)–(5). On April 1, 2021, the Court filed an order asking Petitioners to submit a supplemental filing setting forth the specific suggested modifications to the language of Rule 13 that it urged this Court to adopt. The Petitioners filed a supplemental filing on May 3, 2021. The Petitioners’ proposed amendments are set out in the attached Appendix to this Order.
Written comments are due by Thursday, August 19, 2021.
SIXTH CIRCUIT JUDICIAL COUNCIL Office of the Circuit Executive FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pursuant to the Bankruptcy Amendments and Federal Judgeship Act of 1984, P.L. 98-353, the Regulations of the Judicial Conference of the United States for the Selection of United States Bankruptcy Judge Nominees, and the Procedures of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Council for the Selection of Bankruptcy Judge Nominees, the Sixth Circuit Judicial Council received applications from persons interested in appointment to the bankruptcy judge position in the Eastern District of Tennessee (with duty station in Greeneville, Tennessee).
A Merit Selection Panel considered all applications received and recommended the following five candidates to the Sixth Circuit Judicial Council for consideration for appointment to the bankruptcy judge vacancy:
Jason A. Burgess Atlantic Beach, Florida Tiffany A. DiIorio Knoxville, Tennessee Rachel R. Mancl Johnson City, Tennessee M. Aaron Spencer Knoxville, Tennessee Jamie Fowler Wiley Peoria, Illinois
The Sixth Circuit Judicial Council must narrow the list to three recommended candidates for this position. Under the Act, the final selection of a person for appointment as bankruptcy judge will be made by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Any person may now submit written comments for consideration by the Judicial Council and the Court of Appeals regarding the qualifications of the above-listed final nominees. Such written comments must be received no later than May 21, 2021 at the Office of the Circuit Executive, 503 Potter Stewart United States Courthouse, 100 East Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; or CA06-CECourtAdmin@ca6.uscourts.gov.
Please contact Marc Theriault, Circuit Executive, (513) 564-7200 for further information.
Programs & Communications Coordinator
The Knoxville Bar Association is looking for a Program & Communications Coordinator to undertake various administrative and program management tasks. You will help in planning and organizing programs and activities as well as carry out important operational duties. To be an excellent Program & Communications Coordinator, you must be organized and detail-oriented, creative, and comfortable working with diverse teams. If you desire to be involved in program management and have an interest in working with volunteers, we'd like to meet you. Preferred candidates will have prior experience with marketing and communications. Small, friendly, and fast-paced office environment. Full-time salary up to $35k depending on experience, health benefits, and 401K offered.
Interested applicants should submit a resume with 3 professional references and salary history by May 17 to mwatson@knoxbar.org. Applicants should include a cover letter with a detailed explanation of experience with marketing and communications and any prior involvement with non-profit organizations.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, data management, communications, or other related fields
Responsibilities
Skills
The Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Knoxville Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Associations in the Eastern District of Tennessee, in partnership with Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET), the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, and the Tennessee Supreme Court's Access to Justice Commission will host a virtual Debt Relief Legal Advice Clinic for pre-screened individuals on Saturday, June 12, beginning at 9:00 a.m. by Zoom. The advice clinic will be available to qualified individuals who live in counties in the Eastern District that are within the territory of LAET. Attorneys will volunteer to conduct initial meetings with the clients to discuss their situations and options.
Qualification for the free services will be income-based, with pre-screening by LAET in the various court divisions of the Eastern District of Tennessee. The clinic clients may also be eligible for free bankruptcy services.
Individuals who seek assistance may sign up by contacting the LAET listed below:
(865) 637-0484
if you live in Blount, Knox, Loudon, or Sevier County
(423) 928-8311
if you live in Carter, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, or Washington County
(423) 402-4766
if you live in Bledsoe, Bradley, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Polk, Rhea, or Sequatchie County
The deadline to call for qualification screening based on income is June 4. To qualify for the clinic, an individual in a household of 4, for example, could make no more than $5,458.33 monthly, depending on expenses. After a person is pre-screened and found to qualify for the clinic, the next step is completing a short questionnaire outlining the facts relevant to the question or problem. Each qualified participant who completes the questionnaire will be given the Zoom contact information and matched with a volunteer attorney. The clinic will begin with an introduction by Judge Bauknight to explain the purpose of the clinic and the basics of chapter 7 bankruptcy, including the pros and cons of filing for bankruptcy relief. After Judge Bauknight's short presentation, the clinic clients and volunteer attorneys will be paired in confidential Zoom breakout rooms for individual consultations.
Attorneys interested in volunteering to help in this clinic should click here. Individuals seeking advice can learn more about the clinic by clicking here.
What is happening in the Tennessee Legislature this week? Read Stephanie D. Coleman's summary in this week's Bill Watch.
Bill Watch is a service of the Knoxville Bar Association Legislative Committee. During each week of the legislative session, the KBA will distribute an updated report, through the support of Stephanie D. Coleman of Owings, Wilson & Coleman. The report will indicate progress and recent actions taken on the bills of interest to KBA members. Each week's report will be made available on the KBA Website and News.
New schedule for fees and court costs chargeable by the clerks of the Knox County Circuit, Chancery, Probate, Juvenile and Civil Sessions Courts effective beginning July 1, 2021.
Due to the Sunset of T.C.A. §8-21-409 and pending legislation, effective as of July 1, 2021, fees chargeable by the Knox County Clerks of the Circuit, Chancery, Probate, Juvenile and Civil Sessions Courts will be pursuant to the Schedule of Fees set out in the current T.C.A. §8-21-401. This change in legislation results in the fees charged by all Knox County Courts, including Civil, Juvenile and Criminal, to be aligned with the other ninety-four {94) Tennessee Counties.
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