2529 Dereck Drive Apt F10 Knoxville, TN 37912 December 8, 2011 Knox County Commission Suite 603 City-County Building Knoxville, TN 37901 Knox County Commission: Please find enclosed my resume for consideration for Knox County Judicial Commissioner. My experience, skills, educational background, and motivation to keep Knox County as safe as possible make me an excellent candidate for the vacancy. With extensive ties to Knoxville, Tennessee, I am well aware of the community and its need and expectation for high quality public service. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the nature of the position in more detail. In addition, I would like to share with you those elements of my background that may be relevant to your needs. As you can see from my enclosed resume, I earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law, and I passed the July 2009 Tennessee State Bar exam. I have been practicing law for the last two years in Knox County. I also hold a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and a Bachelor of Science from Tennessee State University and graduated magna cum laude. For the last two years, I have regularly appeared before the Knox County General Sessions Judges on a weekly basis. I have a good relationship with the judges and consider them role models. I enjoy working with the judges and want to further continue this relationship. I also understand the difference between a judge's and judicial con1missioner's role. A judge must conduct a full hearing and a judicial commissioner, among other things, must determine if there is probable cause that a crime has been committed to issue a warrant. These roles are separate, and I promise to honor that distinction. I gained legal experience in the Knox County criminal courts during law school. I clerked for two local criminal law attorneys and gained invaluable knowledge about process and procedures in Knox County General Sessions court. I have a strong background and desire to continue to work in the public service sector. I am particularly attracted to the position because of its commitment to faithfully serve the residents of Knox County. In addition, I have the skills and ability to discern the facts of a situation based on the law and determine probable cause. In the role as Judicial Commissioner, I promise to operate within parameters of the law and uphold the integrity of the position. With my knowledge, background, and skills, I ani confident that I could become a valuable asset to the Knox County Judicial Commissioners and Knox County. I arn hard- working and I am known for my ability to establish strong Working relationships with individuals and organizations. I would enjoy an opportunity to meet with you personally to discuss the current need for a hard-working and dedicated Judicial Commissioner. If there are any questions, I may be reached by mail, telephone (615-403-5550), or email Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Charity J. les Attorney at Law CHARITY J. MILES 2529 Dereck Drive Apt F10 Knoxville, TN 37912 (615) 403-5550 QUALIFICATIONS Attorney in Good Standing Litigation experience 0 Ability to write clearly and concisely and excellent oral communication skills 0 Capable of managing complex cases, assignments, and duties with deadlines 0 Strong organizational skills 0 Diversity experience and training 0 Leadership skills and training and management experience 0 Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with agencies, co-workers, attorneys, students and the community. Interaction With high level officials and judges. 0 Negotiation and diplomacy skills. Successful drafting, negotiation and conciliation of complicated cases. Ability to handle adverse parties professionally. 0 Public speaking experience 0 Knowledge of criminal and civil laws RECENT HONORS 0 Presenter, City of Knoxville Police Department Academy, January - April 2011 0 Equality Coalition for Housing Opportunities (ECHO), Presenter, April 2011 0 Presenter, Community Mediation Center, May 2011 0 Leadership Knoxville, Class of 2012 LICENSURE PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS 0 Admitted to practice in Temiessee, November 2009 0 Accredited attorney before the Department of Veterans Affairs, May 20ll 0 Tennessee Bar Association, November 2009 A 0 Knoxville Bar Association, November 2009 0 East Tennessee Lawyer's Association for Women, November 2009 0 Introduction Knoxville 2010-Winter Class EDUCATION The University of Tennessee College of Law Knoxville, Tennessee Juris Doctor, Concentration in Advocacy and Dispute Resolution, May 2009 Grade Point Average: 3.05/4.3 Honors Activities: Southern Regional Black Law Students Association, 2007-2008 Sub-Region Director and President Pro Tempe, and 2008-2009 Recording Secretary and Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition Specialist; Black Law Students Association, 2007-2008 President and 2006-2007 Vice President; Student Bar Association, 2006 lL Representative; Representative and 2008 Head Representative; Student Panelist for Law Preview Day; Student Coordinator for Student Advisor Program; Dean Search Committee; Hooding Committee; Street Law Program; UT Pro Bono Relevant Coursework: Evidence, Trial Practice, Advocacy Clinic, Mediation Clinic, Domestic Violence Clinic, lnvestigatory Criminal Procedure, Interviewing Counseling, Victimless Crimes, Criminal Law Seminar, and Federal Sentencing The University of Tennessee College of Arts and Science Knoxville, Tennessee Master of Public Administration, Concentration in Management, May 2009 Grade Point Average: 3.75/4.0 Relevant Coursework: Human Resource Management, Financial Management, Non-Profit Management, and Public Management Tennessee State University Nashville, Tennessee Bachelor of Science, May 2005, magna cum laude Major: Political Science Minor: Philosophy Grade Point Average: 3.667/4.0 Honors, Activities Community Service: Presidential Scholarship; National Dean's List; Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society; Golden Key National Honor Society; Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, Treasurer; Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society; George W. Gore Honors Award; Resolution from the State of Tennessee House of Representatives, House Joint Resolution No. 1116; Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, Secretary and Treasurer; Order of the Eastern Star; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Co-Vice President; Tennessee State National Pan-Hellenic Council, President and Treasurer; W.A. Bass Middle School Mentor. EXPERIENCE Legal Aid of East Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Staff Attorney (November 2009-present) Landlord-Tenant/Unlawyitl Detainer Deknsez Represent low-income persons in danger of losing their housing through eviction and/or foreclosure proceedings before the Knox County General Sessions judges. Provide representation, education and outreach in Knox, Blount, and Sevier County General Sessions Courts. Provide education to landlords, apartment managers and tenants through distribution of educational materials and presentations at appropriate locations in the community. Train local law enforcernent, mediators, landlords, tenants, community groups and the public. Provide assistance and services to either prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. Interact with high level officials and judges. Collection Dejiznse: Represent borrowers on civil collection cases. Careful analysis of cases including statute of limitations defenses and contract terms. Advice provided for clients on Sworn Denials, Motions to Pay by Installment, Personal Property Exemptions, Motions to Quash, and Garnishment. Negotiation of cases and representation in Knox Cotmty General Sessions Court. Domestic Violence Civil Litigation: Provide direct legal services to survivors of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault. Draft legal memoranda and pleadings for court. Conduct discovery. Litigate contested Order of Protections in Knox County Fourth Circuit Court. Negotiate agreements. LEGAL EXPERIENCE DURING LAW SCHOOL Jeff Moore, LLC Knoxville, Tennessee Law Clerk (August 2007 - July 2009) Investigated potential case work and performed legal research. Drafted and responded to discovery, drafted pleadings and legal memoranda and conducted client interviews. Worked closely with clients, updating them on case progress. Presented legal research to attomeys. Conducted document review. Created and maintained client tiles. Reviewed attorney work product. Practice Areas: Criminal Defense (State and Federal), Labor and Employment, and Bankruptcy The University of Tennessee Mediation Clinic Knoxville, Tennessee Student Mediator (January 2009 - May 2009) Developed skills important to effective problem solving and wise lawyering and served as neutral third party in Knox County General Sessions and Juvenile Court to help individuals involved in disputes negotiate voluntary settlement of their case or conflict. Areas of co-meditation included: civil litigation (detainer issues) and child custody disputes. The Mediation Clinic satisfied the training requirements to become a Rule 3l certified mediator in Tennessee. Office of Metropolitan Public Defender Juvenile Division Nashville, Tennessee Summer Law Clerk (May 2008 - August 2008) Assisted in all aspects of trial preparation in the areas of juvenile justice and child welfare. Represented juveniles during settlement docket, detention hearings, disposition hearings, and neglect dependent hearings. Served as Guardian ad Litem for clients. Conducted client interviews and assessments. Assisted in assessing services. Drafted orders, motions, and legal memoranda. Performed legal research. Assisted attorneys and social worker with case management. The University of Tennessee Domestic Violence Clinic Knoxville, Tennessee Student Attorney (January 2008 - May 2008) a Represented survivors of domestic violence in Knox County Fourth Circuit Court; interviewed clients and witnesses, drafted Orders of Protection and litigated contested Orders of Protection, drafted and responded to discovery, and negotiated settlements. The University of Tennessee Legal Clinic Knoxville, Tennessee Student Attorney (June 2007- August 2007) Conducted client interviews. Prepared legal memoranda and court documents. Conducted legal research. Litigated legal issues involving juvenile delinquency and landlord-tenant disputes. Prepared clients for litigation. Negotiated settlements of civil disputes. Drafted letters and other memoranda for clients. Maintained client tiles. OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Knox County Board of Education Knoxville, Tennessee Substitute Teacher (October 2005 - December 2006) The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Memphis, Tennessee Tennessee Institute for Pre-Law (June 2003 - July 2006) Assisted Professors of Law in teaching summer courses by providing and instructing two tutoring courses in civil procedure and property; enrolled in a competitive summer class schedule designed to prepare future law students for a law school curriculum. Garrett, Springer and Associates (June-July 2003): Served as intern as part of the Institute. Provided legal research; assisted attorneys; prepared docket for court; reviewed and maintained client files; tiled court pleadings; answered multi-line switchboard. Tennessee General Assembly Nashville, Tennessee Legislative Clerk (January 2004 - May 2004) Researched various issues, serviced constituents, tracked legislation, attended legislative hearings, and performed related tasks.