ATCHLEY HONORED AT TENNESSEE CASA ANNUAL MEETING
September 14, 2011

Nashville, Tenn. — Katrina Atchley, Esq. was awarded the Tennessee CASA Advocate of the Year at the Tennessee CASA Association's Annual Meeting on Sept. 14

She was chosen for the award because of her efforts during the development of the coloring book project entitled, CASA Speaks for Polly.

"CASA Speaks for Polly was the brainchild of CASA of Northeast Tennessee's volunteer, Daniel Rowland," Atchley said. "Through his work with CASA, he saw the need for a tool to assist volunteers in explaining the role of CASA and the process of the Juvenile Court System."

Cheryl Hultman, Executive Director of Tennessee CASA presented the award to Achtley. "Katrina was tireless in coordinating efforts to ensure that all CASA programs had copies of CASA Speaks for Polly and is truly an advocate for abused and neglected children," she said.

Atchley coordinated fundraising efforts with local bar associations and other groups to cover the cost of printing 6,000 copies of the coloring book. The project was awarded the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) Award of Achievement for Service to the Public for the 2010-2011 bar year.

"It is rare when one's mind and heart combine in an endeavor," Atchley said. "That is what CASA Speaks for Polly was for me."

She is an associate with Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop, PC.

Atchley serves as the chair of the Children's Issues Committee of the YLD. Additionally, she is a member of the Sevier County, Knoxville, and American Bar Associations.

The Tennessee Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides support to 26 local CASA programs serving 44 counties across Tennessee. Local programs provide trained volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children who come to the attention of the Tennessee juvenile courts.

Left to Right: Meagan Frazier (Tennessee CASA Board President), Katrina Atchley, Cheryl Hultman (Executive Director of Tennessee CASA), and Ann Bowman (Executive Director of CASA of East Tennessee)

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