Doug Blaze Inducted into Knoxville Pro Bono Hall of Fame

KNOXVILLE – Legal Aid of East Tennessee hosted its Annual Celebrate Pro Bono evening in Knoxville on October 28th. The event, entitled “Forging Justice, was held at Ironwood Studios in Knoxville and celebrated local attorneys who donated time and civil legal services during the past year to aid those who otherwise could not afford an attorney. Those donating at least 25 hours to LAET’s Pro Bono Project were recognized.

Annual Pro Bono Project Awards, presented by Judge Greg McMillan went to:

• Law Student of the Year – Garret Ward, UT College of Law.
• Pro Bono Partner Award – Knoxville Community Development Corporation (KCDC).
• Pro Bono Advocacy Award – David Gall, Knox Co. Assistant Public Defender.
• Law Firm of the Year – Hodges, Doughty & Carson.

Highlighting the evening was the induction of Douglas A. Blaze into the Donald F. Paine Memorial Pro Bono Hall of Fame. Mr. Blaze. “Doug Blaze epitomizes the dedication to pro bono service and access to justice instilled in our community of lawyers by Don Paine,” commented Dr. Kathryn Ellis, LAET’s Knoxville Pro Bono Project Director. “Doug's involvement extends beyond the city limits of Knoxville. Not only is he active with the Knoxville Bar Association Access to Justice Initiative, but also on the Tennessee Bar Association Access to Justice Committee and the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, of which he is immediate past chair.“

Robin Wilhoit, WBIR-TV Channel 10 anchor, served as Mistress of Ceremonies. The evening included a silent auction, heavy hors d'oeuvres, a forging demonstration, and entertainment by 3MB,
featuring Judge Curwood Witt, and by Knoxville attorney Michael Davis.. All proceeds from the event benefitted the programs of Legal Aid of East Tennessee. For more information about Legal Aid
of East Tennessee and The Pro Bono Project, visit www.laet.org, or call (865) 637-0484.