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Chambliss Law Honored as the 2020 Pro Bono Firm of the Year by Legal Aid of East Tennessee
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C., was honored as the 2020 Pro Bono Firm of the Year by Legal Aid of East Tennessee during their annual Community Justice Pro Bono Celebration on Nov. 5, 2020. Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Firm of the Year award honors a law firm that has made a significant impact on the community through pro bono legal work over the year.
“Since the early 1960s, the Chambliss firm has produced many leaders of the access to justice movement at the federal, state, and local levels. In Chattanooga, the firm has long championed Legal Aid of East Tennessee by encouraging financial support by the local law firms and individual lawyers and by encouraging pro bono work,” said Russell Fowler, Legal Aid’s Director of Litigation and Advocacy. “In keeping with its commitment to justice, the firm has repeatedly and enthusiastically volunteered to take on the most challenging pro bono cases for low-income and vulnerable Tennesseans. Chambliss has unselfishly given its talent, time, resources, and influence to advance the frontiers of justice in Chattanooga and beyond.”
In addition to the firm’s recognition, Chambliss shareholder Mike St. Charles was inducted to Legal Aid’s Hall of Fame. Over his 35 years of practice, St. Charles has contributed hundreds of hours to counseling individuals and community organizations through pro bono representation, increased access to justice, and supported Legal Aid of East Tennessee in numerous ways. He follows in the footsteps of previous Chambliss attorneys inducted into the Hall of Fame: Max Bahner, Bruce Bailey, Justice William “Muecke” Barker, Bill Carriger, and Glenn C. Stophel.
“Chambliss values our relationship with Legal Aid and is proud to serve the organization and its clients,” said Mark Cunningham, President and Managing Shareholder. “We are honored to be recognized, and this speaks to our firm’s steadfast commitment to serving the community. This commitment is certainly strengthened by servant leaders at our firm, including Mike St. Charles, who has been instrumental in leading philanthropic efforts. His recent induction into the Hall of Fame is well-deserved, and we’re proud of his selfless efforts and leadership.”
“I was thrilled and incredibly honored to induct Mike St. Charles into Legal Aid’s prestigious Hall of Fame,” said Legal Aid’s Executive Director Sheri Fox. “Every time I walk down the hall where the photos of the Hall of Fame inductees are displayed, I know I am in the presence of this community’s legal giants; giants in terms of their legal acumen, professional accomplishments, and their commitment to access to justice for all. Mike St. Charles has more than earned his place among this community’s legal luminaries, and he and his Hall of Fame colleagues will continue to inspire all of us for decades to come as we continue the fight to secure justice for all.”
Known for its dedication to the community, Chambliss is honored to be recognized and will continue to invest in its people and community through pro bono work and public service. Since the firm’s founding, Chambliss has focused on building and strengthening its hometown and surrounding region for current and future generations.
About Legal Aid of East Tennessee
Legal Aid of East Tennessee is a nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services to low-income, elderly, disabled, abused, or otherwise vulnerable East Tennesseans. LAET’s mission is to strengthen communities and change lives by providing high-quality legal services to low-income East Tennesseans. The firm serves eligible residents of 26 counties from offices located in Blountville, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Knoxville, Johnson City, Maryville, and Morristown.
Read more in the Hamilton County Herald article “Legal Aid of East Tennessee Honors Chambliss, St. Charles During Pro Bono Celebration.“
Read more in the Chattanooga Times Free Press article.
Read TBA Law Blog, “LAET Honors Firm, Volunteer Attorney at Pro Bono Celebration.”
