Endorsements << Back February 15, 2008 Editor, The Daily Times Dear Editor: The letter of February 13 to the Daily Times on the subject of attorney donations to the judicial campaigns of Judges Mike Meares and David Duggan is well stated. I do not know the writer, Lisa Misosky. Why should candidates seeking the position of Circuit Judge not accept contributions from attorneys as well as other supporters? Should attorneys not contribute to the campaigns of any local candidates for public office? The answers are quite clear. By accepting such donations, the sitting judge places himself in an awkward or compromising position. By donating, the lawyer will likely expect something for his money, namely a court judgment rendered in the interest of his client or, to say the least, a fair treatment by the judge. Above all, the public has a right to expect a fair and unbiased treatment from our local courts. A judicial candidate's donations from the same attorney who tries cases in his courtroom simply represent a conflict with public interest. Judge Meares is to be commended for his refusal to accept such donations and for having the foresight to assure every citizen untainted decisions. Only in this way can a judge give his rulings without the influence of money from the attorney standing before the bench. If the attorneys want to contribute, then might they not be able to offer collective contributions to both candidates from the trial lawyers association? The candidates would receive the much-needed support and public interest would be assured without question. The lawyers would seem to want to avoid any unethical suspicion arising from controversy. This community has an outstanding field of trial lawyers. It is commendable that they desire to support financially the local judicial process. This letter is not written to suggest that any attorney would seek special favor in our courtrooms, but rather to simply assure equal justice in local courts. What better way to improve the judicial system overall than to start in the Blount County Courthouse? In all fairness, Dan Lawson 333 Waters Road, Maryville, TN 37803 865-983-4085