News and other items of interest about Butler, Vines and Babb and the practice of law are posted here. Check back often for updates.
Items of Interest At Butler, Vines and Babb:
July 2010 - The Council on Litigation Management (CLM) is pleased to announce its State Chairs for 2010-2011, and Butler, Vines and Babb attorney James C. Wright has once again been selected as lead state chair for the State of Tennessee. This position is a leadership role within the Council, with the purpose of assisting in the development and growth of the Council, and fostering communications locally. Congratulations Jim!
July 2010 - Every year Knoxville's City View® magazine asks local attorneys to vote for the attorney they would call or refer their friends if they were in need of specialized legal services. Congratulations to six Butler, Vines and Babb attorneys who have been selected by their peers to be named in the 2010 Top Attorney's List. Several have been named in multiple categories. Our top attorney winners for 2010 are: William D. Vines, III: Civil Litigation, Mediation/Arbitration, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Liability, Personal Injury; Martin L. Ellis: Product Liability; Ronald C. Koksal: Medical Malpractice; James C. Wright: Anti-Trust, Class Action, Environmental Law, Product Liability; Steven B. Johnson: Class Action; Donna R. Davis: Medical Malpractice.
May 2010 - James C. Wright's daughter, Sarah-Katherine Wright graduated from the University of Tennessee Law School with Highest Honors. She has accepted a job with the firm and is awaiting the bar exam this summer.
February 2010 - Butler, Vines and Babb attorneys Bill Vines and Leslie Muse have recently been elected as Fellows of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, an association of 710 attorneys across the state. Invitations to membership, which is a position of honor, were extended to 35 attorneys this year by the Board of Trustees. The introduction of new Fellows took place at the annual Fellows' Dinner in Nashville. The Bar Foundation's purpose is two-fold: to honor attorneys who have distinguished themselves in the profession and to administer a grant making program. That project, known by its acronym "IOLTA" (Interest On Lawyers' Trust Accounts), has awarded grants in excess of $16,000,000 to law-related, public interest projects throughout Tennessee.
September 2009 - James C. Wright taught a seminar on structured settlements in Atlanta, Georgia on Behalf of the Council on Litigation Management September 17. 2009 .
September 2009 - Martin L. Ellis and James C. Wright were invited lecturers at the 4th Annual Food Safety Symposium sponsored by Nation's Restaurant News and Ecolab. Mr. Ellis and Mr. Wright lectured on the topic of "Foodborne Illness-Prevention & Crisis Management" (see related article in Restaurant News discussing the H1N1 virus). Fifty corporate representatives were present representing in excess of $10 billion in annual sales. The pictures below represent a cooking class taught by students from the Johnson & Wales University, College of Cullinary Arts in conjunction with the sponsors of the symposium.
June 2009 - Martin L. Ellis was named a 2009 "Mid-South Super Lawyer". Being named a Super Lawyer is a great honor as only 5% of attorneys in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee are chosen. The selection process, which is merit based, involves peer nominations with ballots mailed to 23,000 Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee lawyers, a blue-ribbon panel review and independent research on candidates.
February 2009 - One of our beloved founding partners, Mr. Thomas Warren Butler - age 78, died peacefully Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the home he shared with wife Nancy in West Knoxville. He was born in Jacksonville FL, and moved to Knoxville as a child. He graduated from Knoxville High School, Cumberland College in Williamsburg KY, the University of Tennessee and the University of Tennessee College of Law. Shortly thereafter he became a founding member of the law firm of Butler, Vines, and Babb P.L.L.C. where he practiced law for forty years. Upon retirement, he turned his hobby of oil painting into a full-time career. He displayed his art in several galleries in the region and participated in numerous art shows which promoted charitable causes. He enjoyed Pawleys Island, South Carolina and Naples, Florida, and he painted extensively in both places. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity; The American, Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations; The Hamilton Burnette Chapter of the American Inns of Court and The Tennessee Artists Association. He was preceded in death by father and mother, Howard A. Butler and Ena Mae Warren Butler; brothers, Howard A Butler Jr. and Leonard E. Butler. He is survived by wife, Nancy T. Butler; son, John W. Butler of Knoxville; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas A. and Erica J. Butler of Knoxville; daughter and son-in-law, Lucy F. and Jason E. Scarbrough of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Lauren and Tyson Butler; and numerous other family and friends. The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 3, 2009 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. in the parish hall at the Church of the Ascension, followed by a service at the church at 2:00 p.m. and graveside services at Highland Memorial thereafter with Father Howard Hess and Dr. William Shiell officiating. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to FISH Hospitality Pantries, 800 Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919.
February 2009 - Butler, Vines and Babb attorney James C. Wright has been selected to serve as Lead Chair on the Counsel on Litigation Management for the state of Tennessee. There are four positions on the Counsel in each state, one of which serves as Lead Chair. Congratulations to Jim!
December 2008 - Butler, Vines and Babb attorney William D. Vines successfully assisted the city of Maryville in settling a long term dispute between the city and a rock quarry that had been operating since the 1940s. After electing Tom Taylor as new mayor, Maryville City Council unanimously approved the historic settlement that confines the Vulcan Materials Company quarrying operation to the property closest to Court Street and imposes environmental restrictions on use of the creek, noise, dust and trucks. The settlement comes after years of contention between the Vulcan operators of the rock quarry and the city and residents. When the quarrying started in the 1940s the site was surrounded by farmland, but over the years residences were developed around the quarry. Maryville's attorney Bill Vines said the settlement "is very favorable to the city."
2008 - Martin L. Ellis was named a 2008 Mid-South Super Lawyer. Being named a Super Lawyer is a great honor as only 5% of attorneys in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee are chosen. The selection process, which is merit based, involves peer nominations with ballots mailed to 23,000 Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee lawyers, a blue-ribbon panel review and independent research on candidates.
July 2008 - Butler, Vines and Babb Partner James C. Wright has been selected as a member of the Council on Litigation Management (http://www.litmgmt.org/). This selection was by clients to a select group of respected counsel, whose commitment to excellence and integrity within the legal profession is unparalleled in the industry. Such commitment to high standards in professional responsibility is worthy of the recognition the Council has provided to Mr. Wright.
May 2008 - James C. Wright was asked to deliver the Distinguished Alumni Speaker Address to the University of Tennessee College of Law Commencement.
March 2008 - Martin L. Ellis' experience and abilities as a trial lawyer were recognized by his election to the International Society of Barristers (Fellow). The International Society of Barristers is an honor society of outstanding trial lawyers chosen by their peers on the basis of excellence and integrity in advocacy. Created in 1965, the Society arose out of a desire to bring together the best of the trial bar in a setting devoid of partisan interests. With limited membership, the Society has Fellows from every sate, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Australia, Canada, England, Scotland and Mexico.
Fall 2007 - Martin L. Ellis was selected a member of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee.
September 2007 - James C. Wright has been selected to serve as a State Chair representing Tennessee on the Council on Litigation Management.
September 2007 - Martin L. Ellis was selected as a member of the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA). TIDA and its members are devoted to sharing knowledge and resources in defense of the trucking industry. Founded in 1993, TIDA ha become the organization of choice for over 1,200 motor carriers, trucking insurers, defense lawyers and claims servicing companies. TIDA is committed to reducing the costs of claims and lawsuits against the trucking industry.
June 2007 - Butler, Vines and Babb Partner Martin L. Ellis, 56, and fellow swimmer Bill Jolly, 71, swam 8 miles up Norris Lake as part of a fund-raiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee! See the article reprinted here from the BBBS newsletter, detailing the event.
November 2006 - Butler, Vines and Babb paralegals Helen Byrd and Kelley Myers have each successfully completed the Advanced Paralegal Certification program on Discovery. Each of them is now entitled to use of the credential "ACP" in connection with their paralegal work. The Advanced Paralegal Certification program is provided by NALA to paralegals who have already achieved the Certified Paralegal designation, taking the certification and continuing education process one step further by acknowledging successful completion of an advanced course on a specifically defined area of work. To achieve the advanced certification in the subject area of Discovery, Helen, Kathy and Kelley successfully completed 13 learning modules.
January 2006 - Martin L. Ellis received an AV Rating with Martindale-Hubbell* which identifies lawyers with very high to pre-eminent legal ability, indicating they demonstrate the highest professional and ethical standards and reflects the confidential opinions of the bar and the judiciary.
* - CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc., and used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.
October 2005 - Attorney Donna Davis has associated with the firm on an "Of Counsel" basis. Donna, a Civil Trial Specialist and Rule 31 Mediator, is founder of The Davis Law Firm and now devotes 100% of her practice to litigation - primarily medical malpractice. A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Donna also has a background as a Registered Nurse.
February 2005 - Paralegal Kelley Myers has been certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants as a CLA (Certified Legal Assistant). This involved successful completion of a comprehensive two-day examination covering Communications, Legal Research, Legal Terminology, Judgment & Analytical Ability, Human Relations, Interviewing Techniques, Ethics and Substantive Law. The examination is a result of ongoing and continuous research of certified legal assistants, members of the American Bar Association and legal assistant educators.
December 2003 - Butler, Vines and Babb has moved! Effective December 26, 2003, the office of Butler, Vines and Babb has moved to 2701 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919. This location, a stand-alone building on the northwest corner of Kingston Pike and Concord Street (Neyland Drive is on the South side of Kingston Pike at that intersection), will give our clients and visitors easy access to our offices, while still maintaining a downtown Knoxville presence, close to courts and other offices. Located just west of the UT campus, all members of the firm are excited to be in this newly renovated structure. The building, the former "Tennessee Orthopedic Clinic", or "TOC Building", which is a two-level structure, was extensively renovated for occupancy of our law firm. There are four conference meeting areas and convenient, free parking just 20 feet from the front door!
December 2003 - Butler, Vines and Babb Attorney James C. Wright on December 12, 2003 hosted/moderated for the 6th time a Televideo Conference on Ethics law. The speakers included Professor Irma Russell of the University of Memphis, and Professor Carl Pierce of the University of Tennessee.
November 2003 - Martin L. Ellis has been duly admitted and qualified as an attorney and counselor of the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
October 2003 - Butler, Vines and Babb Attorney James C. Wright has been selected to Chair the Tennessee Bar Association's Environmental Law Section. He has served on the section board and was one of the founding members of the section. Mr. Wright was also asked to speak at an ABA conference in Washington, Tn. on October 10, 2003 at a conference of state bar representatives.
May 1999 - Martin L. Ellis completed 40 hours of training and subsequent Continuing Legal Education by the Supreme Court of Tennessee Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee to have qualified as a Rule 31 Mediator in the field of General Civil Mediation.
October 1998 - Martin L. Ellis successfully completed testing and other requirements by the National Board of Trial Advocacy to be designated as a Civil Trial Specialist. Mr. Ellis was among the first attorneys to be certified by the Commission under a program established by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 1994. To be certified, Mr. Ellis was required to have years of experience in his field, special education and pass an examination as well as receive positive recommendations from other lawyers, judges and his clients.
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