In an article today posted by the Tennessean, the newspaper discussed the division of responsibilities for active cases previously handled by former public guardian Jeanan Stuart. My law office has picked up a few cases, as well as multiple other private law offices, from the recent departure of Mrs. Stuart. Other cases have also arrived from the departure of Judy Lojeck, an exceptional attorney in her own right, who has accepted another private position from a local trust management company. Given both of these departures, there have been several new cases assigned to the private attorneys with experience before the Court.
In conversation with those in the local probate bar, it is clear that a consensus is emerging. The approach that this article from the Tennesseean mentions - a broad division of the caseload to multiple experienced attorneys - is the one that is most preferred in the bar. The logic is that no one can handle an influx of double-digit conservatorship cases all at once, at least not anyone who has any level of experience and competence in probate and conservatorship cases, and still maintain an independent law practice. As I have mentioned in previous posts, this approach that the Court has adopted is the best solution which I can see, and I am grateful this issue is being thoughtfully handled.
Check out the Tennessean article here: https://www.tennessean.com/print/article/20130611/NEWS0201/306110045/Former-Davidson-County-public-guardian-s-fees-shopping-trip-reduced
