Margaret Held has known she wanted to be a lawyer since she was 8 years old, hearing the stories of her grandfather’s practice in Knoxville. "When you decide to become a lawyer when you are a kid, it’s because you want to stick up for the little guy and take down the bully."
As a new attorney, that attitude landed Ms. Held a prestigious Equal Justice Fellowship, awarded by the National Association for Public Interest Law to honor lawyers who make unique contributions in public law. The Fellowship allowed Ms. Held to represent entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations to create and retain jobs in poor neighborhoods. "These folks could not afford corporate counsel," says Ms. Held. "It was great to be a new attorney, working up the legal documents to start a bank, suing the government over its use of economic incentives, and representing welfare moms to start businesses ranging from child-cares to ice cream parlors."
After the fellowship ended, Ms. Held continued her mission by founding Held Law Firm. "The Firm exists to support lawyers who have enough little kid in them to love the fight - who wake up each morning excited to take on the big boys, and who haven’t become cynical about ideals like justice and fair play."
Ms. Held represented India Tracy in her lawsuit against the Union County school system for religious discrimination. She represented Citizens for Police Review in its battle for increased accountability within KPD. She helped the Tennessee Industrial Renewal Network to fight for a living wage for Knoxville workers. She obtained a record-breaking settlement for a Department of Energy whistleblower who reported safety violations in Oak Ridge. She represented KnoxRecall in its drive for increased accountability from Knoxville city lawmakers, and Knox County over abuses within the juvenile detention facility. "I suppose that these sorts of lawsuits haven’t made me many friends in certain circles," laughs Ms. Held. "But they weren’t who I went to law school for anyway."
"But seriously," she continues, "As fun as those cases are, the issues that matter most to real people are much more personal. Law, for regular people, is about your kids, your job, your business, your neighborhood. That’s why we specialize in family law, employment law, and non-profit law." "My best hope is that we will take the mystery out of the legal process for my clients - that they will know how the legal system works, feel like they got sound advice and a good outcome, and know that, win or lose, we fought the good fight for them. Big cases are great, but there’s nothing more satisfying for me than to represent an honest, hard-working person well."
Practice areas
Divorce, child custody, child support, legitimization, parental rights. Contested and agreed divorces.
27 years
Child custody, visitation, and child support.
Less than 1 year
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
TN | Active | 1996 | 06/06/2022 |
updated
When an attorney is censured it means he or she did something wrong but may still practice law. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Patriotic Employer | Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve | 2018 |
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2013 |
Peer rated "excellent" for ethics and professionalism | Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
"Legal Eagle Award" | Tennessee Industrial Renewal Network | 1999 |
Annie Selwyn Award | Knoxville Women's Center | 1998 |
Equal Justice Award | National Association for Public Interest Law | 1996 |
Dean's list | University of Tennessee college of law | 1995 |
Public interest fellow | Tennessee bar foundation fellow | 1991 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Managing Partner | Held Law Firm | 1998 - Present |
Attorney | Knoxville Legal Aid Society | 1992 - 1998 |
Law clerk | Gilreath and Associates | 1989 - 1990 |
Law clerk | Mildred Cunningham, esq. | 1988 - 1990 |
Legal secretary | Rainwater, Humble and Vowell | 1988 - 1989 |
Legal secretary | Poore, Cox, Baker, Ray and Byrne | 1986 - 1987 |
File Clerk | Hunter, Smith and Davis | 1985 - 1986 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Knoxville Bar Association | Member | 1998 - Present |
National Employment Lawyers Association (Illinois chapter) | Affiliate Member | 2001 - 2004 |
National association for public interest law | Fellow | 1995 - 1997 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Co-Authored with Mark Imperial & Leading Divorce Professionals | Stress-Free Divorce Volume 04: Conversations With Leading Divorce Professionals | 2018 |
Harvard Civil Rights Civil Liberties Law Review | Creating Jobs in Low Income Neighborhoods | 1997 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Tennessee College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1995 |
University of Tennessee, KnoxvilTennessee | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1990 |
Furman University | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Family rights for same sex couples | Family rights for same sex couples | 2012 |
Continuing Legal Education Seminar | Family Law Rights for Gay and | 2012 |
interview with local media | Facebook and Divorce, | 2011 |
Ut college of law orientation | Careers in law | 2010 |
(private speech) | First Amendment and Public Education | 2003 |
private speech | Hate Crimes and Police Brutality Claims | 1998 |
stand-alone speech | Government Accountability for Economic Development Incentives | 1997 |
private speech | The Use of Public Benefits to Spur Economic Growth in Low Income | 1996 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Holley v. Holley | Won |
Pruitt vs. city of Clinton | Settled for full relief. |
Tracey v. Union county schools | Settled for all requested relief |
Knox recall vs. Ashe | Petition upheld |
Westbrook v. UT Battelles | Won. Then settled for all relief requested. |
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Brittany Gilder, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 4, 2022
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
Margaret has been a great mentor since I joined Held Law Firm. She cares about everything from her clients to her employees to the way the business operates, and takes great care to make sure she is advocating for those around her. She is a great advocate and has a knowledge of the rules that I can only hope to come close to one day.
Seth Oakes, Divorce and separation Attorney on Aug 10, 2018
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Margaret is an excellent attorney with a strong working knowledge of family law. I would highly recommend her to any prospective client needing competent guidance through the complex legal system.
Brittany Gilder, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 4, 2022
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
Margaret has been a great mentor since I joined Held Law Firm. She cares about everything from her clients to her employees to the way the business operates, and takes great care to make sure she is advocating for those around her. She is a great advocate and has a knowledge of the rules that I can only hope to come close to one day.
Seth Oakes, Divorce and separation Attorney on Aug 10, 2018
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Margaret is an excellent attorney with a strong working knowledge of family law. I would highly recommend her to any prospective client needing competent guidance through the complex legal system.
Nicholas Armes, Unknown Attorney on Oct 31, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I absolutely endorse Margaret. I worked with Margaret on an out-of-state divorce, which makes any divorce very difficult no matter the issues. Margaret was very professional and goal oriented, but fully advocated for her client at the same time. Any person seeking a divorce would greatly benefit having Margaret on their side.
Marjorie Bristol, Discrimination Attorney on Aug 16, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Margaret is a joy to work with. She fights zealously for her clients, but is practical and solution-oriented. This combination means that her clients are getting the best representation possible. I highly recommend her.
Deanna Breeding, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jun 19, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Ms. Held is very knowledgeable about all aspects of the law and works hard to get positive results for her clients. She is a very innovative thinker when it comes to resolving issues. I would readily endorse Ms. Held.
Amelia Crotwell, Child support Attorney on Jun 12, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I recommend Margaret Held and her firm for providing great domestic relations representation. Margaret is a tireless advocate and a creative strategist. She cares about her clients and has high ethical standards. I highly recommend her.
Edward Holt, Family Attorney on Jun 1, 2017
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
Margaret knows the law and works diligently on every case. I endorse this lawyer.
Jackson Whetsel, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 17, 2017
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I accepted a position with Held Law Firm because of the firm's reputation for zealous advocacy. Margaret has built both a strong personal practice as well as a successful firm though hard work and diligence. Her energy level is unbelievable. I'm glad to be associated with such a reputable firm.
Daniel Goodge, Child custody Attorney on Jul 14, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I recently worked with Margaret on a child custody case. In addition to having a strong knowledge of custody law in Tennessee, Margaret was a tenacious advocate for her client. However, Margaret also spent untold hours working with my office to find a workable solution for the Parties' case. I would highly recommend Margaret as an attorney or mediator for any divorce/custody case.
Agnes Trujillo, Employment and labor Attorney on Jun 2, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Margaret is an awesome colleague. She brings intelligence and insight to the table with a perspective that is unique in our field. It is rare to find a true advocate in a profession that can often get lost in the day to day legal business.
Melanie Hogg, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jun 9, 2015
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer.
Robert Gilligan, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 6, 2015
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Vanessa Samano, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 15, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. She is always passionate behind her causes. Even as an adversary, I respect and enjoy working with the tough attorney.
William Cremins, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 7, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Thomas Smith, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 25, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Margaret is passionate about her clients. She is very thorough and works very hard to protect her clients' interests.
Mital Patel, Probate Attorney on Mar 5, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
R. Cole, Child custody Attorney on Nov 4, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I fully endorse Margaret Held. She dots every i and crosses every t. She will ethically fight for her clients by building her client's case as thoroughly as possible. More importantly, in custody cases, she will consider the children she is fighting for and will not take positions on behalf of a client that would be harmful to a child.
Karrah Leary, Child custody Attorney on Oct 28, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. The first time I met attorney Margaret Held, I was a recently-licensed attorney watching juvenile court proceedings and happened to observe a portion of one of her cases. Ms. Held's litigation skills were among the strongest I have ever seen. Her cross-examination was polished, organized, and effective. Ms. Held and her firm are well-respected in the Knoxville legal community, and deservedly so. She is an excellent advocate in family law and custody matters!
Sarah Easter, Family Attorney on May 16, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Margaret is always quick to respond and will always ensure the best result possible for her clients. Margaret is able to be easy to work with while at the same time aggressively advocating her her client's rights.
Luke Shipley, Divorce and separation Attorney on Dec 27, 2012
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
Margaret loves what she does and is really good at it to boot. I've learned more form her than could fit in an endorsement box, but suffice it to say she's as good as they come.If someone is looking for ethics, skill, and honesty they don't need to look any farther.
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