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:

October 2008 - Butler, Vines and Babb has opened a new satellite office in Sevierville, Tennessee!  The office is located at 227 Court Avenue, is staffed by various attorneys and staff members, and will be served by appointment only. 

July 2008 - Butler, Vines and Babb Partner James C. Wright has been selected as a member of the Council on Litigation Management (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. 

June 2007 - Butler, Vines and Babb Partner Martin Ellis, 56, and fellow swimmer Bill Jolly, 71, will attempt to swim 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.  

September 2006 - Attorney Mark Hartsoe  has been selected as a 2006 Mid-South Super Lawyer by Law & Politics magazine.  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, involved peer nominations with ballots mailed to 23,000 Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee lawyers, a blue ribbon panel review and independent research on candidates.

January 2006 - On January 24, 2006 Mark Hartsoe  presented a Continuing Legal Education program to lawyers in Memphis, Tennessee regarding representing landowners in eminent domain proceedings in Tennessee.  Mr. Hartsoe also made a presentation to Nashville lawyers on January 27, 2006 at a Continuing Legal Education program regarding representing landowners in eminent domain/condemnation proceedings.  Mr. Hartsoe is scheduled to make a presentation on this topic on May 23, 2006 in Knoxville to East Tennessee lawyers.

December 2005 - On December 17, 2005 Butler, Vines and Babb, PLLC Partner Mark Hartsoe  organized a training session for Knoxville lawyers who serve as voluntary ombudsman for the United States Military.  Under USSERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act), federal law requires employers to provide employment and re-employment rights to employees who leave their jobs, voluntarily or involuntarily to serve in the United States Military.  This includes Reserve and National Guard service.  Mr. Hartsoe is a trained USSERRA ombudsman and serves in that capacity to informally attempt to mediate disputes between employers and military personnel whose employment has been interrupted by military service. 

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.

April 2004 - Attorney Mark C. Hartsoe has been certified as a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.  The forum is recognized as the most prestigious group of trial lawyers in the United States.  Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts, awards and settlements.  Hartsoe joins fellow Butler, Vines and Babb attorneys William D. Vines and James C. Wright as a member of this prestigious forum.

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.

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.

Links to Articles in News Publications:

June 2008 - Jury awards nearly $6 million judgment in Medical Malpractice Case - Originally published in Grand Rapids Press, June 8, 2008.

May 2008 - Butler, Vines and Babb obtains nearly $3 million Judgment in Medical Malpractice Case - Originally published in the Knoxville News Sentinel, May 20, 2008.

March 2003 - Butler, Vines and Babb obtains $1.1 million Judgment in Drunk Driver Case - Originally published in the Knoxville News Sentinel, March 4, 2003.

February 2002 - Butler, Vines and Babb Attorney Mark C. Hartsoe files $2 million wrongful death suit on behalf of client over crash into residence in Maryville.  For further details, see the Maryville Daily Times Article.

August 1994 - Watts Bar Lake resort owners agree to settle suit against plants' operators - Originally published in the Knoxville News Sentinel, August 5, 1994.

October 1987 - Cancer Victim Wins Malpractice Suit - Originally published in the Knoxville Journal, October 29, 1987.