Chattanooga’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem is bringing a new order for much of the city’s business culture.
As business startups create a new innovation economy, some local lawyers are changing their look and pricing methods to tap into emerging markets in the Gig City. As Tim Omarzu describes in this month’s issue focused on the business of law, some of Chattanooga oldest and newest law firms are tapping into the startup business market. Lawyers are matching the businesses they represent with new and creative approaches to dress, fees and service arrangements.
In this month’s cover story, Alex Green also examines another side of the legal profession in a profile of former U.S. Attorney Bill Killian. The 67-year-old South Pittsburg native, who joined the national law firm Polsinelli in its Chattanooga office last year, headed the Justice Department activities in the 41-county East Tennessee district for more than five years. As federal prosecutor, Killian oversaw an array of criminal and civil actions, including the handling of the high-profile July 16, 2015 fatal shootings of five U.S. servicemen in Chattanooga and the 2014 arrest of his own brother, former South Pittsburg Mayor Mike Killian.
For businesses trying to cope with an array of employment, tax and product regulations from the government Killian represented, most turn to attorneys for help. Mike Pare looks at how some local businesses use in-house lawyers while others contract for such legal services.
This month’s issue is our second annual edition focused on the legal profession. We again partnered with the Chattanooga Bar Association to provide a complete alphabetical listing of those lawyers who belong to the CBA as a reference guide to help find a local lawyer.
The local Bar includes more than 700 lawyers in the Chattanooga area. Collectively, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the legal profession was paid more than $101.2 million in metro Chattanooga in 2014.
While some might grumble about that cost, it’s still only a tiny fraction the region’s $21 billion economy and arguably a relatively small price to pay to help maintain order.
Hear from some of the business leaders featured in this issue on the radio show “Cutting Edge” hosted by Jed Mescon at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 27 on Talk Radio 102.3 WGOW-FM