Oak Ridge Today

Tunnell, former alternate city judge, oldest practicing attorney in TN, dies at 95

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William Lawrence Tunnell

William Lawrence Tunnell

William Lawrence Tunnell, an alternate Oak Ridge city judge who was believed to be the oldest practicing attorney in Tennessee, died September 5. He was 95.

His family will have a receiving of friends for Tunnell, who was also a World War II veteran, on Tuesday, September 15.

Earlier this year, Tunnell was said to be the oldest judge in Tennessee.

Tunnell was born and raised in the Marlow community, according to his obituary. He was a faithful member of Poplar Creek Baptist Church and most recently attended Batley Baptist Church, his obituary said. He was proud of his farm in Marlow.

Tunnell graduated as the valedictorian from the last class at Robertsville High School in 1942. [Read more…]

Updated: Attorney Tunnell charged with assault, Judge Miller recuses himself

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William Lawrence Tunnell

William Lawrence Tunnell

Note: This story was updated at 11:55 a.m. Jan. 21.

William Lawrence Tunnell, an alternate Oak Ridge city judge who is believed to be the oldest practicing attorney in Tennessee, was arrested January 13 for allegedly hitting a man with his car and knocking him to the ground in November.

Tunnell, 94, has been charged with one count of aggravated assault. He has a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge.

(Update: Anderson County General Sessions Court Judge Roger Miller has recused himself from hearing this case, and a special judge will be appointed. A new hearing date had not been set as of Wednesday morning.)

According to an arrest warrant, the incident occurred Friday evening, November 21, at the intersection of West Outer Drive and Waltham Lane. [Read more…]

Fritts: Ouster statute does not apply to Anderson County law director

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Chuck Fritts, Myron Iwanski, and Dusty Irwin

Anderson County Commission Chair Chuck Fritts, left, is pictured above with commissioners Myron Iwanski, center, and Dusty Irwin. Citing an opinion from the County Technical Assistance Service, Fritts on Wednesday said the ouster statute does not apply to the Anderson County law director, the defendant in a controversial ouster suit.

 

The ouster statute does not apply to the Anderson County law director, the defendant in a controversial ouster suit, Anderson County Commission Chair Chuck Fritts said Wednesday.

Law Director Jay Yeager is essentially a county employee rather than an official, and the ouster statute doesn’t apply to him, said Fritts, citing the opinion of a legal consultant at the University of Tennessee’s County Technical Assistance Service in Nashville.

Citing the CTAS opinion, Fritts said the petitioners who brought the ouster suit against Yeager should pay the legal costs if they lose. The county could pay Yeager’s legal fees if the ouster suit fails or is thrown out of court.

In an opinion sent to Fritts on July 29, CTAS Legal Consultant Stephen Austin said the Anderson County law director is a county employee and not a county officer.

“Accordingly, the ouster statutes are not applicable to the law director,” Austin said. Yeager made a similar argument in a July 11 motion to dismiss filed in Anderson County Chancery Court. [Read more…]

Irwin: Frank may have to hire commission attorney in Yeager ouster suit

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Chuck Fritts, Myron Iwanski, and Dusty Irwin

Anderson County Commissioner Dusty Irwin, right, has proposed a special meeting to possibly repeal an approved motion made last week by Commissioner Myron Iwanski, center, that covers legal fees for current and former county employees in the ouster suit filed against Law Director Jay Yeager. Also pictured is Anderson County Commission Chair Chuck Fritts.

 

Jay Yeager and Terry Frank

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, right, and Law Director Jay Yeager have been embroiled in several high-profile disputes, including over an ouster suit filed in May in Chancery Court.

Irwin says he’s willing to consider options

CLINTON—Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank may be the only person authorized to hire an attorney to represent county commissioners responding to subpoenas or other legal notices filed in the ouster suit against Law Director Jay Yeager, a commissioner said Monday.

That means a motion approved 13-2 by the Anderson County Commission last week might have to be repealed, said Commissioner Dusty Irwin, whose district includes Norris and Andersonville. That motion allows each commissioner to hire their own attorney and bill the county, Irwin said.

He said his recommendation this week is based on his interpretation of state law and attorney general’s opinions. He’s called for a special meeting to repeal last week’s motion by Commissioner Myron Iwanski, who represents part of Oak Ridge and is former interim county mayor, and consider a new motion that asks Frank to find and hire an attorney to replace Yeager in the case.

“Although I am no lawyer, the attached seems clear that the commission cannot authorize or hire legal counsel in the absence of a law director, and our law director (Jay Yeager) has stated to the commission that he cannot represent or advise us on the ouster suit he is currently involved in,” Irwin said in a Monday e-mail forwarded to commissioners and the media. “Also, it appears to me that only the the county mayor can perform this hiring action and that the commission may only approve the expenditure by a majority vote.”

It’s not clear if other commissioners will agree. Iwanski was unavailable for comment Tuesday morning. [Read more…]

Letter: Biloski compassionate, committed, fights for children, family

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To the Editor:

I am a grandmother that knows from experience that Lauren Biloski is the right choice for juvenile judge. My grandchild was lost in the DCS system for four years. I was told by one attorney that I would not be able to do anything. That grandparents has no rights, and I would not be able to get custody of my grandchild.

Lauren was retained for the mother. A year later, she was court-appointed to the mother. I went to another attorney only to lose my money, and no petition was filed. I could not give up hope of finding someone to help me.

A couple of years later, I finally found one and had hope. By this time, Lauren was no longer retained or appointed to the case. Being the person that Lauren is, she did not step away from the case. Along with my attorney, Lauren was at meetings and all the court hearings with me. During court hearings, Lauren stood up and fought when my attorney said nothing at all. [Read more…]

Judge Layton seeks third term

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Don Layton

Don Layton

Don A. Layton, Anderson County General Sessions judge, Division I, is seeking a third term in this year’s elections.

Layton has been sessions judge since 1998. A resident of Anderson County for 44 years, he has practiced law since 1973.

Layton has been married for 44 years to Mary Layton, a former Clinton and Oak Ridge school teacher, a press release said. They have two children. Amy, a school teacher at Karns Middle School, and Chris, a teacher and football coach at Robertsville Middle School. Both are graduates of Oak Ridge High School.

The press release said Don Layton has served the public as Anderson County clerk and master and delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1977. Layton was recognized in 1996 as the state’s Most Outstanding Court Clerk. [Read more…]

Knoxville attorney to discuss women’s suffrage

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Wanda Sobieski

Wanda Sobieski

Knoxville attorney Wanda Sobieski will discuss women’s suffrage during a presentation next week.

The presentation, which is free and open to the public, is titled “The Legacy and Challenges of Women’s Suffrage.” It starts at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at Grace Covenant Church at 320 Robertsville Road in Oak Ridge.

Sobieski, who has been deeply involved in the effort to recognize and honor the early 20th century suffragists that won for women the right to vote, will show images from that time and discuss their struggles, relating them to the important contributions of Tennessee women, a press release said. [Read more…]

Local attorney spearheading stuffed animal drive for Juvenile Court

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Information from WYSH Radio

A local attorney who practices primarily in Anderson County Juvenile Court has organized a stuffed animal drive to help calm the fears and anxiety of children who have to testify in court.

Rebecca Franklin is celebrating her birthday this year by spearheading a drive to collect new stuffed animals that will be placed in a toy box that was custom-built by her husband and will find a permanent home in the juvenile courtroom where children must speak to the judge. Franklin said she has seen a similar program work in Knox County and the stuffed animals helps children feel more comfortable and open up about the issues that have brought them to the courtroom. [Read more…]