LAET Attorney to Co-Chair Blount DV Task Force

MARYVILLE – Legal Aid of East Tennessee is proud to announce that Kathryn Ellis, Ph.D., J.D., had been elected Co-Chair of the Blount County Task Force against Domestic Violence.  She shares this leadership position with Amanda Ingle of Haven House.

The volunteer task force is an Action Team of the Blount County Community Health Initiative, and focuses on domestic violence prevention and reduction, bullying prevention education in schools, and training for law enforcement.  Members of the group include representatives from organizations that serve domestic violence victims, area law enforcement, the District Attorney’s office, and other interested community leaders.

When asked why she participates in this group, Dr. Ellis replied, “It is important for the various community partners who deal with issues of domestic violence in Blount County to work together to raise awareness and to develop coordinated efforts to address this problem.”

"Domestic violence involves both criminal and civil issues,” said Assistant District Attorney Ellen Berez.  “Kathryn has shown a remarkable ability to work well with the victims and attorneys in Sessions Domestic Court and is well-qualified to lead the multi-agency Blount County Task Force against Domestic Violence."

Dr. Ellis earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 2010 from The University of Tennessee College of Law.  She joined LAET as a staff attorney in 2012, and for the past year, has been the primary attorney serving domestic violence and stalking victims in Blount County.

For more information, contact LAET’s Knoxville office at (865) 637-0484.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s mission is to ensure justice for elderly, abused, and low-income people by providing a broad scope of civil legal assistance and advocacy.  LAET serves eligible persons in 26 counties through offices in Chattanooga, Cleveland, Knoxville, Johnson City, Maryville, and Morristown.