United States Bankruptcy Judge Suzanne Bauknight presided over a virtual Naturalization Ceremony on April 19, 2021.
On September 10, 2019 in the Howard H. Baker Jr. Federal Courthouse, Bankruptcy Judge Suzanne Bauknight, Chief Judge Reeves and the Knoxville Bar Association held a reception honoring the attorney volunteers who have given of their time at the Debt Relief Clinic. With the assistance of the Knoxville Bar Association and Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Judge Bauknight create the Debt Relief Clinic to aid individuals who are struggling financially and may be facing the possibility of filing Bankruptcy. Knoxville attorneys volunteer their time to work at the clinic to provide guidance and alternatives to individuals facing the possibility of bankruptcy. This reception was held to recognize and honor the attorney volunteers and provided the attorneys with an opportunity to share stories about the impact the clinic makes in the lives of those they serve.
Week of August 19th, 2019 - A group of 13 people made up of 7 Timorese judges, 3 Timorese prosecutors, and 2 US Embassy personnel visited the Eastern District of Tennessee. The program was organized by the U.S. Department of Justice and AUSA David Lewen who is serving as a Resident Legal Advisor for 14 months in Timor-Leste. The group's visit included a tour of the Howard H. Baker Jr Federal Courthouse where they were provided lunch with the judges and were provided informative presentations from each agency concerning their role in the judiciary. The group also visited the local State Courts and U.T. College of Law. The group gifted all the presenters with a scarf (as reflected in one of the pictures) which has the name of their country and the colors of their flag.
On July 9, 2019, Judge Collier spoke to approximately forty youth summer campers from Olivet Baptist Church at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga. The campers' ages ranged from 10 to 18 years-old. Judge Collier spoke to the campers about the state and federal judicial system, his professional journey to the bench, and his current responsibilities as a District Court Judge in Tennessee's Eastern District. During a Q&A session, Judge Collier answered questions about criminal sentencing in federal courts, his career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, as well as questions about his family and childhood in Marianna, Arkansas. Some of the younger campers were especially interested in how often Judge Collier uses his gavel (never) and why judges wear black robes (a carryover from British court dress). Afterwards, the campers walked over to the courthouse for a tour of the buildings and courtroom.
On May 22, 2019, Judge Curtis L. Collier spoke with a group of 8th grade students from The McCallie School which is a boys college-preparatory school located in Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga. The students visited the courthouse to study the mural, Allegory of Chattanooga. Judge Collier also spoke with two additional groups from McCallie later in the week on Thursday and Friday. The total number of students visiting the Court to learn about the history of this piece of artwork was approximately 90 students. This is the third year that the 8th grade students of McCallie School have made it a part of their curriculum to come study this work of art. Judge Collier also spoke to the students about the book, Contempt of Court. The students had read this book earlier in the school year.
The Tyner Academy Mock Trial Team visited the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and Courthouse on May 7, 2018. This was the first year Tyner Academy had participated in the mock trial competition in several years. The group met with Judge Collier prior to observing three criminal hearings before Judge Collier. Following the hearings, the students had an opportunity to meet participants from the hearings they had observed which included Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poole, United States Probation Officer Crystal Johnson, Defense Attorney Leslie Cory, and Defense Attorney Marty Levitt. The participants discussed with the students the cases that they observed in court, and Judge Collier and the participants gave the students an opportunity to ask questions.
On April 1, 2019, U. S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Knoxville hosted a group of students from South Doyle High School and Fulton High School who participated in the all-day Justice For All program. A total of 26 students and chaperones/teachers participated in the event which included a morning panel discussion by local attorneys, law students and law school deans. The panelist each share their backgrounds and what led them to a career in law. The panelist responded to questions and shared with the students that having a difficult childhood or not having financial support is not a deterrent to pursuing whatever dreams you may have for your future. The students also participated in a tour of the courthouse and history museum, participated in a mock trial, participated in a panel discussion with some of the judges, and enjoyed lunch with the judges and other panel participants.
Eighty students, along with seven teachers/chaperones from the Pre-Law/Criminal Justice classes visited the courthouse as part of the Courthouse Tours Initiative. The students observed a supervised release revocation hearing before Judge Pamela Reeves.
Prior to the hearing, Judge Reeves, the attorneys and other court personnel spoke with the students about their role in the judicial process and their educational background and path that led them to their current positions. Following the hearing, the students observed a presentation by the U.S. Marshal's Service and were provided a tour of the courthouse by Don Ferguson, Court Historian.
Magistrate Judge Clifton Corker and Magistrate Judge Dennis Inman were the guest lecturers at Professor Steve Lawrence's American Government classes on March 13, 2019. Aided by a power point presentation, the judges spoke to the students concerning the state and federal judicial systems, how they differ, and the types of cases handled by each court. The judges have spoken to Professor Lawrence's classes for the past three years. This particular class was physically on the Morristown campus, and video streamed to the Sevierville campus.
The honors social studies classes of Powell Middle School visited the courthouse on March 12, 2019 as part of the Courthouse Tours Initiative. A group of 65 students and chaperones were hosted by Bankruptcy Judge Bauknight. The students participated in an iCivics game focusing on the type of cases that are handled in State Court as opposed to Federal Court. The students also participate in a mock trial, were provided a tour of the courthouse, and were treated to lunch which was held in the Dake Conference Room at the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences hosted a Career Fair on Friday, March 8, 2019. The Career Fair is held annually, and this is the third year that U.S. District Court has participated. District Judge Travis McDonough, Clerk of Court John Medearis and Division Manager Russell Eslinger participated by speaking with the students about career opportunities in the judicial system. The group also distributed gavel pencils and Pocket Constitution booklets to each student. Approximately 200 students attended the Career Fair.
Bankruptcy Judge Bauknight presided over an off-site naturalization ceremony held at the City-County Building where 126 individuals took the oath of citizenship. Knoxville City Mayor Rogero and Knox County Mayor Jacobs spoke at the ceremony and welcomed the new citizens. Patricia and Steve Foster sang at the ceremony. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) participated by distributing gifts to the new citizens following the ceremony. Featured in this picture are (left to right) Carolyn Mowery (DAR), Judge Bauknight, Mary Lynn Lethcoe (DAR), Martha Cummings (DAR) and Jason Huffaker.
Bankruptcy Judge Suzanne Bauknight was the guest speaker at the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR), Emory Road Chapter for their meeting in Powell, TN on Saturday, February 16, 2019. Judge Bauknight spoke to the group about naturalization. Members of the DAR attend most naturalization ceremonies and distribute gifts to the naturalized citizens.
Magistrate Judge Guyton and Bankruptcy Judge Bauknight each conducted naturalization ceremonies in Knoxville on January 10, 2019. A total of 45 individuals were naturalized from 17 different countries. The Powell High School Singers performed two songs at the ceremony before Judge Bauknight and sang "My Country Tis of Thee" and "The Star Spangled Banner." Judge Bauknight's daughter, Sarah, is a member of the group.
The group enjoyed a luncheon catered by Salsarita's following the ceremony, and Deputy John Sanchez and Senior Security Inspector Richie Bradley also gave the group a tour of the US Marshal's Service after lunch.
The University of Tennessee Law School has an exchange program where U.T. law students study abroad in Australia for a two week period, and the next year Australian law students study abroad for a two week period in Knoxville at the University of Tennessee College of Law. As part of the study abroad program, six law students from Australia and six law students from U.T. visited the courthouse in Knoxville on January 7, 2019. The group also included U.T. Dean Emeritus Doug Blaze; Brad Morgan, U.T. Director of Career Center; Sarah Derrington, Former Dean of the University of Queensland, Australia, President of the Australian Law Reform Commission, and a Federal Judge; and her husband Roger Derrington who is also a Federal Judge. The Derrington's are the first such federal judicial couple in Australian history. Prior to visiting the Court, the group had lunch with Tennessee State Justice Sharon Lee. The group observed a sentencing hearing before Judge Thomas Phillips. Judge Phillips spoke with the group following the hearing and introduced the participants of the hearing. Following the hearing, the group was provided a tour of the 4th Floor Ceremonial Courtroom and the 4th floor chambers area by Magistrate Judge Poplin.
Bankruptcy Judge Suzanne Bauknight held an all day community outreach initiative - Justice for All - on November 16, 2018. This event was held in the Knoxville Division of the Eastern District of Tennessee. The biannual program is designed to encourage students attending under-privileged high schools to consider careers in the legal field, whether as law enforcement officers, lawyers, or judges, for the diversification of the justice system in the United States.
Magistrate Judge Guyton was the guest instructor for two history classes at Bearden High School on the morning of November 16, 2018. Using a power point presentation, Judge Guyton shared with two groups of approximately 20 students in each class about the federal judiciary.
On October 15, 2018, Judge Collier spoke to a group of 25 students and their instructor, Cheri Morgan, at Cleveland High School in the Criminal Justice Academy honors program as part of the Courthouse Tours Initiative. Judge Collier spoke with a group about the importance of the judicial system. He gave a presentation on the federal courts, and then the students asked questions about Judge Collier's background and career, some of his most memorable cases, and the judicial process in general.
September 25, 2018 - Magistrate Judge Corker coordinated and moderated a Teacher Law School Program held in the U.S. District Courthouse in Greeneville, Tennessee on September 25, 2018. Senior District Judge Curtis Collier participated in the program and lead a session on the federal courts. Approximately 23 civics teachers and other educators were in attendance. The group observed a sentencing hearing before Senior District Judge Ronnie Greer who also spoke with the educators following the hearing. Judge Corker took a selfie with the group of educators to memorialize the event.
On Friday, September 21, our District participated in Constitution Day programs, including the reading of the Constitution at each Divisional Office.
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Judge Reeves hosted the criminal procedure class from Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law for moot court proceedings on Tuesday, October 2. The students presented a change of plea and argued three motions. Court Reporter, Rebekah Lockwood, provided the students with a demonstration of court reporting.
On October 1, 2018, a group of 25 students and their instructor Tracie Livesay visited the Knoxville courthouse for a demonstration on the use of technology in the courtroom. Angela Archer provided the students with a demonstration of the DEPS equipment, and Judge Reeves met with the students following the demonstration. Don Ferguson also provided the students with a tour of the courthouse.
Judge Bauknight hosted a group of eight law students in her courtroom on September 27, 2018 for mock oral arguments and provided the group with a tour of the courthouse following the in-court proceedings.
