A third candidate is joining the Aug. 5 race to become the next judge on Hamilton County Chancery Court, and he says his breadth of knowledge in arbitration and mediation best qualifies him for the job.
Joe Manuel, a Chattanooga trial attorney who counts BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee among his clients, has practiced for 31 years. He said recently he has concentrated on arbitration services to help people resolve issues out of court.
"An arbitrator is like a private judge," Mr. Manuel said. "We do things very similar to what a chancellor does in listening to proof and issuing a written opinion, since trials in Chancery Court typically are done without a jury. My arbitration work has been excellent on-the-job training."
Chancellor Howell Peoples stepped down March 31. The state Judicial Nominating Commission included Mr. Manuel's name among three recommendations to Gov. Phil Bredesen as choices for interim chancellor. The governor has not made an appointment, and a temporary senior judge from Franklin, Tenn., is occupying the seat.
But Mr. Manuel, a Republican, said the commission's nomination proves he is qualified.
"This was a peer review," Mr. Manuel said.
Republican Linda Hall, a solo practitioner, and Democrat Valerie Epstein, an attorney with Berke, Berke and Berke, also officially have announced their candidacy for the Chancery Court judgeship.
Local talk radio host Tony Sanders said he met Mr. Manuel last year during the Chancery Court fight to save Montlake Shooting Center. The city had wanted to shut it down, but Mr. Manuel represented the shooting center for free and won the case.
"A lawyer who would stand up against the government and do it pro bono, too -- that's the kind of judge we need on Chancery Court," Mr. Sanders said. "(Mr. Manuel) will be fair for everyone."
Mr. Manuel, a Republican, said the seat's occupant should be just as capable as Chancellor Peoples, who sat on the court for 32 years.
"Chancery Court is a court that touches so many people's lives, everything from estate issues to fights between the city and county," Mr. Manuel said. "The court needs someone who has the knowledge and experience to deal with those issues."