November 13 presentation by Lee Ann Adams and Eleanor G. LaPorte at the Professional Advisor Seminar sponsored by the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County.

Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott, & Cannon, PLLC

Family Foundation, Donor Advised Fund or Supporting Organization? How to Choose?

Individuals with significant wealth frequently create family foundations to help organize their philanthropy. Historically, private non-operating foundations have been the vehicle of choice in filling this role. However, a donor advised fund or a supporting organization can effectively function as a family foundation while offering much of the flexibility and appeal of a private family foundation without many of the regulations, requirements, and overhead expenses. This session will explore the benefits and requirements of private foundations, donor advised funds and supporting organizations and how they can be employed to help donors accomplish their charitable objectives.

October 24, 2025
At Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s 60th Anniversary celebration on October 23, Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC was honored as the organization’s Pro Bono Firm of the Year.  Member Sam Elliott said: "Many lawyers in our firm have supported the efforts of Legal Aid of East Tennessee and other pro bono initiatives through the years, either directly providing pro bono services through LAET, through financial contributions to LAET or other worthy organizations, or through the Chattanooga Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, or the Tennessee Bar Foundation. We are humbled to be recognized in such a significant way."
July 10, 2025
At the 144th Annual Tennessee Bar Association Convention, David McDowell was elected to serve as the Vice President of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Fellows, and began another term of service as the East Tennessee Governor on the Tennessee Bar Association Board of Governors.