Attorney Art Grisham, who is running for a Chancery Court post as an Independent in the Aug. 5 election, said his aim is to make justice available for all.
He said, "I will make every effort to insure that justice is available for all of Hamilton County’s citizens and businesses - making justice available not merely for those who have, but also for those who have not."
Attorney Grisham said, "After serving in the United States Army from 1965 to 1969, I entered UT Law School in Knoxville. As I neared graduation in 1971, I was given an opportunity to use both my legal education and the management skills I had obtained during my military service. I took that opportunity and became the first-ever staff attorney/manager of the Enforcement Division of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau.
"The Federal Clean Air Act went into effect in 1972. After Chattanooga’s environment became cleaner, I decided to enter the private practice of law. As many others have learned, Chattanooga is the best kept secret in the United States. The quality of life, the friendliness of the people, and the cultural and educational opportunities offered here are unique.
"Our judicial system plays a key role in maintaining the quality of life we have. We are fortunate to have principled law enforcement officials, highly respected attorneys and experienced, dedicated judges. As Judge of the Chancery Court, I would be a part of making sure this community continues to experience the high standards of justice we have had during my 39 years of practicing law in the Chattanooga community."
PERSONAL: Born Knoxville; raised in Iuka, MS and Kingston, Tn.; wife, Dorothy, is an exclusive agent with Allstate Insurance; two adult children; resident of Chattanooga since 1971; Elder,New City Fellowship Church; Past Member, Chattanooga Area Men's Ministry Network (in support of Promise Keepers); Chairman, Chattanooga Wastewater Regulations Board since1978; Bethel Bible Village Board of Directors 1981-1985 (member of Executive Committee1983-1985; Chairman of Board 1985). Hope for the Inner City Board of Directors 2003 - 2010 (Chairman & President 2004-2009, Immediate Past President 2010)
EDUCATION: Public elementary and secondary schools in Kingston, Tn. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee-Bachelor of Science, Industrial Management, 1965-Juris Doctorate, 1971
MILITARY: UNITED STATES ARMY
Jul. 1965: HQ, I Corps, Uijongbu, Korea; Personnel Management Officer Aug. 1966: HQ, U.S. Army Depot, Nancy, France; Administrative Services Officer Jan. 1967: British Ministry of Defense, London, Eng.; Liaison Officer Mar. 1967: HQ, U.S. Army, United Kingdom, R.A.F. Burtonwood, Warrington, England; Adjutant Jan. 1968: HQ, TASCOM, Worms, Germany; Protocol Officer Aug. 1969: Honorable Discharge, Captain; Award: Distinguished Service Medal
BAR MEMBERSHIP AND ASSOCIATIONS: -Admitted to Practice: in all Tennessee Courts, and in the Federal Courts for the Eastern District of Tennessee and in the Sixth United States Circuit Court of Appeals -Member: Tennessee Bar Association (Former Member General Sessions Practice Committee; current member executive committee Creditors Practice Section) Chattanooga Bar Association (Board of Governors 1978-80; President 1981; Chair, Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee)National Association of Retail Collections Attorneys Fellow, Chattanooga Bar Foundation
LEGAL CAREER: 1971: Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau Staff Attorney Manager, Enforcement Division 1973: Goins, Gammon, Baker & Robinson Associate - General insurance defense work 1975: Goins, Gammon, Baker, Robinson &GrishamPartner - Insurance defense work, with emphasison airplane crash litigation, and professionalliability defense - doctors, lawyers, engineersand architects 1979: Smith & Grisham 1985: Smith, Grisham & Knight 1987: Grisham & Knight 1995: Grisham, Knight & Hooper Partner - General practice, with emphasis on commercial law, creditor bankruptcy law, and litigation. 2009: Solo Practitioner General Practice - personal injury, probate,defense of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other consumer rights claims
LECTURER IN FIELD: - "Creditors' Rights and Protection of Security Interests in Bankruptcy" - "The Legal Issues of Problem Collections in Tennessee" - "Debt Collection Procedures, Laws, and Ethics" - "Getting Paid for Your Services" - "Advanced Real Estate Law in Tennessee" - "How to Get Results in Collection of Delinquent Debts in Tennessee" - "Effective Mortgage Foreclosure Techniques" - "Quality of Life in the Practice of Law" (annually since 1995)