Cheeks and Taylor Honored
Chattanooga, TN – On Saturday, June 21, 2025, the S.L. Hutchins Bar Association hosted its Second Annual Barristers’ Ball at the WTCI Studio in Chattanooga. This year’s theme, “Carrying the Torch: Honoring the Past, Navigating the Present, and Building for the Future,” reflected the organization’s mission to uplift Black attorneys and preserve the legacy of Chattanooga’s first African American lawyer, Styles L. Hutchins.
The elegant evening brought together attorneys, community leaders, and supporters for a night of celebration, networking, and reflection. Attendees enjoyed music, trivia, dinner, and fellowship, all in support of the association’s ongoing work to promote diversity, equity, and justice in the legal profession in Chattanooga.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of two distinguished awards honoring exceptional contributions to the legal community and the city of Chattanooga.
Kisha Cheeks Receives Walter F. Williams Achievement Award
Attorney Kisha Cheeks was honored with the 2025 Walter F. Williams Achievement Award, which recognizes an attorney who exemplifies the high ethical standards, legal excellence, and deep community engagement that defined Judge Walter F. Williams’ life and career.
A proud Chattanooga native, Cheeks brings over 13 years of courtroom experience, representing thousands of clients in court on matters including probate, family law, and business disputes. As the principal attorney at the Cheeks Rucker Firm, she has earned a reputation for passionate advocacy and compassionate counsel.
Cheeks’ commitment to service extends far beyond the courtroom. She is a dedicated mentor, community volunteer, and active member of organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links, Inc., and the Ivy Rose Foundation. She was recently selected for the 2024 Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Program, an honor given to only a handful of attorneys across the state. And, in 2025 she made history with her competitive campaign for Circuit Court Judge in Hamilton County.
Her unwavering dedication to faith, family, and fairness has made a meaningful impact on Chattanooga’s legal landscape—and her leadership continues to pave the way for future generations.
Attorney Rheubin Taylor Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
The S.L. Hutchins Bar Association also recognized Attorney Rheubin McGhee Taylor with its Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of his decades of trailblazing legal service and steadfast commitment to public good.
Taylor re-made history as Chattanooga’s first Black licensed attorney to return to Hamilton County in 1973, after graduating from Howard University School of Law. Over his long and distinguished career, he has practiced law, served on the Hamilton County Commission, and spent more than three decades as Hamilton County’s Attorney. In that role, he has advised generations of elected officials, negotiated high-stakes contracts, and helped steer transformative projects such as the Tennessee Riverwalk and the revitalization of the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant.
Beyond his legal and political impact, Taylor is also a spiritual leader—serving for 28 years as Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Lafayette, Georgia. Through both civic and religious service, Taylor has lived a life guided by compassion, integrity, and a higher calling.
As he concludes his years of service to Hamilton County and his congregation, Taylor’s legacy stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and purpose-driven leadership.