Conflicts of Interest and Other Issues
Numerous of the candidates and observers seem very interested in real or perceived conflicts of interest between the "day job" of candidates and the position of Alderman. Others seem very interested in the duration of one's residency in this community or familial connections. I offer no opinion on the position of other candidates or the people currently in office. I will, however, address my own situation for those who may be interested.
I am a lawyer. I practice by myself, no partners or employees. I've been in private practice in Middle Tennessee since I graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 1993. Since 1998, I have practiced in historic downtown Franklin.
The nature of my practice is litigation, meaning I handle lawsuits. At any time, I have dozens of clients. The nature of the cases I handle range from criminal defense cases to personal injury lawsuits to divorces to the truly bizarre. I have no "permanent" clients. The vast majority of my clients are individuals who have a discreet, singular problem that requires the assistance of a lawyer like me. Occasionally I represent a business, but that turns out to be infrequent. When the problem is resolved, by negotiated settlement, trial or appeal, my representation is concluded.
I do not handle real estate closings. I do not represent builders, real estate developers, or any other "growth-related" entities. My law practice does not benefit in any way from growth or development (in making this claim, I am assuming that as population grows, more lawyers enter the market in proportion to the growth, which has been my experience).
I have found my legal background to be helpful in discharging the duties of Alderman. It has been nice that I work for myself and can, for the most part, set my schedule to accomodate the demands of the office.
My wife works part time for a small, family-owned business in another county. She benefits not one bit from growth, either.
My wife and I moved to Franklin in 1995 because we loved what we found here. Neither of us is from Williamson County and, until my parents moved to Fieldstone Farms this summer, neither of us had any other family here.
When I'm not trying to earn a living or spending time at City Hall, I spend time with my family. I coach baseball and football for my sons, who are 9 and 6. If you really need to see me and cannot find me, go to Jim Warren Park and wait, I'll be there any minute.
I ran for office in 1997 at the age of 29. I had lived here all of two years when I was elected. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve the people of this community, and I have met many, many fine people while serving as Alderman. When I was elected, I promised myself I would leave office with a clean conscience, and I am proud to say I have kept that promise.
I am a lawyer. I practice by myself, no partners or employees. I've been in private practice in Middle Tennessee since I graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 1993. Since 1998, I have practiced in historic downtown Franklin.
The nature of my practice is litigation, meaning I handle lawsuits. At any time, I have dozens of clients. The nature of the cases I handle range from criminal defense cases to personal injury lawsuits to divorces to the truly bizarre. I have no "permanent" clients. The vast majority of my clients are individuals who have a discreet, singular problem that requires the assistance of a lawyer like me. Occasionally I represent a business, but that turns out to be infrequent. When the problem is resolved, by negotiated settlement, trial or appeal, my representation is concluded.
I do not handle real estate closings. I do not represent builders, real estate developers, or any other "growth-related" entities. My law practice does not benefit in any way from growth or development (in making this claim, I am assuming that as population grows, more lawyers enter the market in proportion to the growth, which has been my experience).
I have found my legal background to be helpful in discharging the duties of Alderman. It has been nice that I work for myself and can, for the most part, set my schedule to accomodate the demands of the office.
My wife works part time for a small, family-owned business in another county. She benefits not one bit from growth, either.
My wife and I moved to Franklin in 1995 because we loved what we found here. Neither of us is from Williamson County and, until my parents moved to Fieldstone Farms this summer, neither of us had any other family here.
When I'm not trying to earn a living or spending time at City Hall, I spend time with my family. I coach baseball and football for my sons, who are 9 and 6. If you really need to see me and cannot find me, go to Jim Warren Park and wait, I'll be there any minute.
I ran for office in 1997 at the age of 29. I had lived here all of two years when I was elected. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve the people of this community, and I have met many, many fine people while serving as Alderman. When I was elected, I promised myself I would leave office with a clean conscience, and I am proud to say I have kept that promise.
posted by Alderman Dana McLendon at 6:22 PM
3 Comments:
Dana,
Good posting. Please keep to the high road as you have done in the past. It looks like that's your way.
Hey, who knew you'd become the least controversial Alderman? ;-)
I've (jokingly) told people that if I am the voice of reason, we are in bad shape.
A good post no doubt. I've noticed that recently, the Mayor has used a little blerb in the paper a couple of times, where he disclaims any benefit from say, passing a development for the 800-pound Parks group-realty-trust-widgets-whatever Gorilla.
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