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Dear Editor:

I have known both Mike Meares and David Duggan since 1990 when I first began practicing law in Blount County. I know both men to be gentlemen of both great intellect and honor.

I was therefore, shocked to learn that Mike Meares has chose to suggest by innuendo that "the general public" would think that David Duggan was selling justice by accepting contributions from attorneys, or that any attorney contributing to David's campaign was attempting to purchase justice. I am sure that every person who knows David was equally shocked.

Mike Meares, has with unfounded insinuation impugned not only my integrity, but that of each of my fellow attorneys who has ever sent an election contribution to any judicial candidate. Also, since each of the elected judges of Blount County have previously accepted campaign donations from attorneys, Mike has impugned the integrity of every Judge and Chancellor who currently sits in Blount County by suggesting that they have reduced the public's trust in the legal system which they most prominently represent. Without attempting to speak for them, I know that these judges have a respect for their position which prevents them from responding. Most attorneys realize that they will have to deal with Mr. Meares for another six months and are not responding publicly. I, however, believe it is important not to let a judicial campaign be conducted in this manner without speaking up.

Mike Meares has previously contributed to candidates who were running for judicial office in the past. When he made these contributions, was he attempting to purchase justice? Or, was he simply reducing the public's trust in our legal system? Clearly not.

If Mr. Meares' campaign comments, insinuations, and innuendoes were honestly made, and he truly believes a donation to his campaign is tantamount to either purchasing a judge or the appearance of purchasing a judge, why would he take any donation whatsoever? Why would he sell justice to anyone? He currently bars only attorneys from such "purchases." He does not know who may be a party (or closely related to a party) in one of his cases. Can he even have someone put a sign in their yard for fear that at some point they will be a party or have an interest in a case that he is or will be handling?

I appreciate the very difficult position that Mike finds himself. David Duggan has sat as General Session's Court Judge since January 2005. To the best of my knowledge, Judge Duggan has the respect and admiration of every member of the bar. Judge Duggan has handled the matters which have come before him with quiet respect and dignity.

People are seeking David out to see how they can assist him. I did. I know that a large number of the attorneys practicing in Blount and the surrounding counties have. It is my understanding that Judge Duggan has made it his practice not to ask an attorney for their support. If they come to him, however, he accepts their support graciously.

Alternatively, after Judge Duggan announced that he was running for Circuit Court Judge, Mike Meares telephoned me asking if I was going to support him. I told him that I was supporting David. I know that other attorneys have likewise found themselves in a similarly difficult position.

To my knowledge, Mike was not violating any canon of ethics by asking for anyone's support. Even attorneys. This is an election. Each candidate wants and needs your support to be elected. I do not understand, however, how Mike distinguishes between seeking financial and personal support from attorneys.

In order to continue to elect the highest quality individuals as our Judges, it is important for each of us to support a candidate who we know will be a fair and impartial Circuit Court Judge. David Duggan's integrity is simply beyond attack. I hope that Mike Meares will retract his insinuations against Judge Duggan, my fellow attorneys, and the other judges of Blount County and by doing so begin to repair his well-known reputation for integrity as well.

I hope Mike has simply gotten caught up in some "politicking" that has gone horribly wrong. As I have previously stated, I know Mike to be honorable. I truly hope that he will acknowledge that his fellow attorneys and judges are honorable as well.

Sincerely,

Jim Snyder

Attorney At Law

345 South Hall Road

Alcoa, TN 37701