Working Mother magazine recently named three law firms with Tennessee offices among the best in the country for working mothers. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Nashville, Husch Blackwell in Chattanooga and Memphis, and Littler Mendelson in Memphis and Nashville all were noted for leading the way in attracting, retaining, and promoting women lawyers.
Former Chattanooga lawyer Karen Wilson is bringing her vision for a gluten-free restaurant in Chattanooga to life. Crave Café & Bakery will open in Warehouse Row's food court in January. While putting herself through college and law school, Wilson worked in the restaurant industry. After discovering her intolerance to gluten, she started baking, cooking and experimenting more. Nooga.com has the story
The Hazelden Legal Professionals Program awarded its first "Excellence in Legal Community Leadership Award" to Memphis Judge Robert L. Childers, immediate past chair of the American Bar Association's Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs, at a retreat last week. Hazelden employee Link Christin presented the award to Childers saying, "I am honored to present this first annual leadership award to a true giant in the field, a person who has literally dedicated his professional life to helping others triumph over addiction in our legal profession.” Read more and see a photo on the AOC website.
Division IX of Shelby County Circuit Court will be closed this week, after the sudden death of Judge Robert L. Childers' daughter, Lisa Kay Childers Dickerson. She died Friday from complications of leukemia. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. For more information, contact court clerk Carlyse Nevels.
Memphis lawyer Larry Rice talks about his decision to lose weight and lead a healthier life in a the Commercial Appeal article. "When they tell you you shouldn't eat sweets and you should exercise or your toes are going to rot off and you'll go blind, diet and exercise suddenly goes from being a good idea to a well-motivated part of your life," Rice says.
A new, discounted, long-term care plan is now available to Tennessee Bar Association members and their families. Long-term care services help you maximize your independence and protect your nest egg. Call Graham Swafford at the Tennessee Bar Center for details at 615-383-7421.
A court aimed at helping veterans who come to the criminal justice system as a result of drug addictions, homelessness and other situations brought on by the ravages of untreated wartime stress held its first session this week in Clarksville. General Sessions Judge Ken Goble brought the court to order on Tuesday, telling one early participant, “This is for those who have sacrificed and are now in a bad place. This is a chance to get you off the road you’re on.” Learn more about the court from the AOC.
Memphis attorney Elizabeth Collins has taken the drive and competitive nature from the courtroom to her battle with cancer. That, plus a strong faith and treatment from the MD Anderson Cancer Center, have kept her in practice now eight years following an initial diagnosis that said she only had three to six months to live. The Commercial Appeal tells us more of her inspiring story.
A recent survey of more than 5,700 workers found that lawyers and judges are among those most likely to report a weight gain at their current job. Among all workers who added pounds, 54 percent said it was because of sitting at their desk most of the day; 56 percent said they also ate their lunch at their desk. Other reasons included eating because of stress (reported by 37 percent) and eating out regularly (reported by 23 percent). ABAJournal.com connects you to the survey
News from the TBA Board of Governors
Memphis Circuit Court Judge Robert L. Childers was honored with the Tennessee Bar Association's Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award today at the group’s annual meeting in Memphis. The Drowota Award is given to a judge or judicial branch official of a federal, state or local court in Tennessee who has demonstrated extraordinary devotion and dedication to the improvement of the law, the legal system and the administration of justice as exemplified by the career of former Supreme Court Justice Frank F. Drowota III – the award’s first recipient.
In an editorial, the News Sentinel says that recent events regarding former Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner are "positive steps for the integrity of the Knox County judicial system." The first step was when the state Supreme Court on May 15 released an order signaling its possible willingness to review three overturned murder convictions from Baumgartner's court stemming from a brutal double murder. The second step was when, on the same day, Baumgarter was arrested and arraigned in federal court on seven counts of failing to report felonious acts. "We are confident that justice, in the end, will be served," the paper says.
Memphis lawyer Bill Robilio has been named the Stephenson Todd Volunteer Attorney of the Year by the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP). Robilio, a member of the Shelby County Public Defenders Office, has been a volunteer mentor to fellow lawyers in crisis since TLAP was established in 1999. Prior to that, he worked with Lawyers Helping Lawyers, a similar service of the Memphis Bar Association. The award was presented to Robilio at TLAP’s recent retreat at Montgomery State Park. The Commercial Appeal has comments from Judge Robert Childers, while a press release from the chief public defender praises Robilio's work.
The Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program will host its 7th annual CAMP TLAP March 30 to April 1 at Montgomery Bell State Park. Educational programming includes sessions on mitigating compassion fatigue, how to handle a BPR complaint and the role narcissism plays in addiction. The two-day retreat also will provide opportunities for personal reflection and group social events. Download the full agenda and reservation form here
The Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program will host its 7th annual CAMP TLAP March 30 to April 1 at Montgomery Bell State Park. Educational programming includes sessions on mitigating compassion fatigue, how to handle a BPR complaint and the role narcissism plays in addiction. The two-day retreat also will provide opportunities for personal reflection and group social events. Download an agenda for the program
