Grisham leads in poll of lawyers

Longtime Chattanooga attorney Arthur C. “Art” Grisham could be the best contender for the vacant judgeship on the Hamilton County Chancery Court, or at least that’s what his peers say.

Results from a “preferential poll” released Friday by the Chattanooga Bar Association indicate that 58 percent of the 309 local lawyers who participated prefer independent candidate Mr. Grisham over the other two candidates.

Attorney Jeffrey M. “Jeff” Atherton, a Republican, came in second, with 30 percent of the votes. Attorney Valerie W. Epstein, a Democrat, received 14 percent.

At 67, Mr. Grisham also is the oldest candidate and has the most experience litigating in Chancery Court. The court’s two judges, or “chancellors,” are charged with making rulings on wills, estates and other areas of law.

“I’m very gratified and humbled that I have this kind of support,” Mr. Grisham said Friday. “I’m hopeful the public will pay attention to the results of this poll.”

Chattanooga Bar Association Executive Director Lynda Hood said Friday that the voluntary poll is not meant to “predict a winner” in the Aug. 5 election.

It is, however, meant to allow those who regularly work in local courts to voice their opinions on who might best fit the job, Ms. Hood said.

That’s critical, Chattanooga Bar Association President John T. Rice said, because lawyers, more than the general public, can better assess a potential judge’s merits and qualifications.

“We feel it is important for the public to know what the people who work in the courts every day think,” Mr. Rice said.

He noted that the poll is voluntary, anonymous and only open to members in good standing with the bar association. But he cautioned that the poll is not an endorsement by the bar association for any candidate.

Association bylaws dictate that preferential polls must be taken each time there is more than one candidate running to be a local judge.

Both Ms. Hood and Mr. Rice said the participation in the current poll among the approximately 800 bar members was “impressive.”

“We think it speaks well of the bar and their interest in this race,” Mr. Rice said.