Celebrating our bar association's diverse membership and highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of KBA members.

From the UT Legal Clinic's Facebook Page:

The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed College of Law Director of Clinical Programs and Associate Professor of Law Joy Radice to serve as the next chair of the Access to Justice Commission. The commission exists to provide collaborative leadership to create solutions and resources that address and eliminate barriers to justice for all.

“I am honored that the Court appointed me to serve as Chair,“ stated Professor Radice. “I hope to continue the tremendous work of the Access to Justice Commission as we work to better understand the civil legal needs of vulnerable Tennesseans and develop programs and initiatives that address those needs.”

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) has announced that Maha Ayesh has been promoted to associate dean for academic affairs. Ayesh has served as LMU Law’s director of experiential learning since October 2020. During that time, she has overseen a growing externship program while developing clinical offerings to provide students with practical experience and meeting the law school’s mission to serve the underserved. These efforts have included a domestic violence clinic and mediation clinic in neighboring Sevier County and an immigration clinic with Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. Ayesh has also taught a variety of doctrinal and experiential courses and served on the law school’s Curriculum Committee, allowing her to gain an understanding of its curricular process and needs.

The KBA Archives Committee is pleased to share the interview of Charles Swanson as the latest addition to the collection of KBA Legal History Videos. Jason Long interviews Charles about his legal career and extensive service to the bar and local community. The video is available on YouTube and is available from a link on the Legal History Videos page on the KBA website.

The East Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women (ETLAW) announced recently that Courtney Epps Read will be presented the Spirit of Justice Award at the ETLAW Annual Meeting on December 13 at The Foundry. The Spirit of Justice Award is an annual honor for an ETLAW member whose contributions to our community and our profession exceed the status quo. The honoree has shown a demonstrable impact in women’s advancement and support for East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women. As long-standing ETLAW Membership Chair and the Co-Chair of the ETLAW 40^th Anniversary Gala, Courtney Read is a well-deserving recipient of this recognition. Learn more.

The KBA Archives Committee is pleased to share the interview of Terry Woods as the latest addition to the collection of KBA Legal History Videos. Nick McCall interviews Terry about her legal career and her passion for pro bono as one of the early pioneers in championing access to justice. The video is available on YouTube and is available from a link on the Legal History Videos page on the KBA website.

Knox County General Sessions Court Judge Chuck Cerny received the Leon Ruben Award for Excellence at the recent Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference in Memphis. The award was presented by Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeagh.

“For those who don’t know, Judge Cerny not only presides over the misdemeanor and felony drug recovery courts in Knox County, but he also presides over their Veterans treatment court,” said Judge McVeagh. “He also is starting a mental health court. For those recovery court judges in this room, who know the amount of time, effort and energy that running one of these programs takes, to preside over three of those, much less his felony tracks that his criminal court/circuit court colleagues allow him to preside over, I don’t know how he does it. Well, actually I do because I sat in his courtroom one night until about 8 p.m. several years ago, when he was allowing me to shadow him.”

Although he had job shadowed Judge Cerny, Judge McVeagh really got to know him while starting a drug recovery court in Hamilton County. 

“He and his family are certainly an example of people who have taken losses, have shown others what it means to live in a way that this award honors folks to live by,” said Judge McVeagh. “In fact, Judge Cerny once said, ’All human beings experience the pain that comes from loss. The only alternative is to not love people. That’s not a viable alternative because loving others is something we are called on to do in our faith systems. It’s also just the right thing to do.’”

Understanding can come from loss. When Judge McVeagh asked Judge Cerny’s staff to describe him in one word, their answer was compassionate.

“It’s a word that not only his staff use to describe him, but every participant who has been a part of his program uses to describe him. I certainly believe that Judge Ruben would be proud of this recipient,” said Judge McVeagh. “I can’t think of a better person to present this award to today. He is a shining example of somebody who truly gives that dignity and treats folks with the respect that Judge Ruben treated everyone that appeared before him.”

Judge Cerny approached the podium with tears in his eyes. His voice shook in disbelief, as he accepted his award.

“I don’t know what to say,” said Judge Cerny. “I never dreamed in a million years I would get this award.”

Judge Cerny then recalled the first General Sessions Judges Conference he attended. One where Judge Leon Ruben made a lasting impression.

“Leon Ruben offered a blessing and I remember he sounded like a good Methodist to me, at first,” he said. That comment drew laughter from the attendees. When the room became quiet again, Judge Cerny recited the blessing in Hebrew and English: “’Blessed are you Lord, who brings forth bread from the earth.’ And I felt in that moment, I felt in that moment, that everybody had a chance to feel a part of things. Leon Ruben was truly a great judge and a great man and he became a good friend to me. I am very honored and shocked and really surprised, but it is very kind of you all to think of me. I’ve tried hard to do this as well as I can. Thank you, sincerely, I appreciate you all.”

Two of Judge Ruben’s four children were in attendance, along with their spouses. They were moved by Judge Cerny’s kind words about his friend, their late father.

The Leon Ruben Award for Excellence is given annually to a judge or judges who distinguish themselves through their outstanding service to the community, the conference and the judiciary as a whole. The award is named for Judge Ruben, who served as a sitting judge for 37 years in Nashville. He also served as a Metro Council Member and was known for his excellent contributions to the community.

Judge Cerny is a native of Indianapolis. He received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Judge Cerny has served on the bench for nearly 25 years.

Learn about Judge Sanchez's path to becoming a Criminal Court Judge in the October 6 edition of the Tennessee Ledger. 

Adds Sanchez, “When you see somebody who actually wants to transform themselves and wants to become a contributing member in society again and wants to get away from their criminal lifestyle and wants to beat their addiction, and when you can give them the tools to do so, and you see that happen, it’s really gratifying. It really does make you feel like you have a purpose.”

On September 28, KBA member Dr. Kathryn Ellis was recognized by the YWCA Knoxville with a Tribute to Women Award for Community Enhancement.  The YWCA's Tribute to Women recognizes the contributions and community impact of women all across East Tennessee, particularly women who exemplify the organization's mission: "empowering women, eliminating racism and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all." The honorees are selected by judges who live outside the Knoxville area.

Dr. Kathryn Ellis is executive director of the Knoxville Family Justice Center and works with more than 40 partners to ensure victims of domestic violence in Knox County and Knoxville get the help and support they need. Ellis has spent more than a decade raising awareness about the issue of domestic violence.

Knox News has revealed the 40 Under 40 Class of 2023, and the KBA is happy to recognize KBA members Michael Crowder, Sean McDermott, and Hon. Zachary Walden. 

According to Knox News, 40 Under 40 recognizes top young professionals living and working across East Tennessee. These people make a difference through their professional accomplishments and service to their community. They lead, innovate, and achieve. They have brilliant ideas and are determined to succeed.

Congratulations to Michael, Sean, and Zack!

Congratulations to KBA member Jodi Loden! The ABA Center for Bar Leadership picked Jodi's name from a random drawing of the 296 members who submitted responses to the KBA's Economics and Law Office Management Survey before the deadline yesterday. The survey ended with a response rate of close to 20%.