Retain Justice Sharon Lee - And Response

  • Wednesday, July 23, 2014

I’m a business person, not an attorney.  I appreciate integrity and character.  I appreciate hard work and honesty, and I appreciate intelligence.  I have known Justice Sharon Lee for many years--long before she was appointed to the Court of Appeals in Knoxville, and later to the Tennessee Supreme Court—she has all the characteristics that judges should have.   

In private practice for years before being named judge, Sharon Lee worked hard in her profession as an attorney.  I am proud to call her my friend.  

Sharon Lee was appointed on merit, having been reviewed and approved by a State Selection Commission and then appointed by the governor.  I understand that is how our law works in Tennessee for appellate judges.  Now she is up for retention under those laws for a statewide position on the Tennessee Supreme Court.  

I understand appellate judges do not try cases – they rule on issues of law based on action in trial courts.  It is important for me as a businessman and individual citizen to trust courts to be non-political.  It would not be good for Tennesseans if we could not rely on a court to apply the law equally without bias to everyone who appears before it.  Knowing her personally, Justice Sharon Lee would apply the law to facts presented without partisanship, purely based on legal interpretation.   

It is important for our Tennessee courts to stay fair and impartial, and keep a qualified and hard-working judge in her position at the Tennessee Supreme Court. 

Please join me in voting retain Justice Sharon Lee, Tennessee Supreme Court. 

Scott Shankle

Chattanooga

* * *

I write in support of Justice Sharon Lee of the Tennessee Supreme Court.

            In the fall of 1975, I found myself in a classroom full of first year law school students. I thought to myself “these people are really smart”. Indeed, they were. And, Sharon Lee was one of the brightest.

            Sharon later excelled in the practice of law and became an excellent judge. Her opinions are thoughtful, well-reasoned and reflect a common sense approach to complicated issues. And, most importantly, they reflect a sense of fundamental fairness.

             Yet, with all her success, she remains unassuming in her manner. Indeed, my assistant was startled to learn that the lady who called my office and identified herself merely as “Sharon Lee” was Justice Lee.

             The Justices of the Tennessee Supreme Court are part of our government and the decisions of our highest state court affect all Tennesseans. We all benefit from the decisions of good judges. And, Sharon Lee is one of the best.

             I urge you to join me and vote to retain Justice Sharon Lee as a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Attorney Joe Manuel

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