Legal Services & Lawyers

I have lived and worked in Memphis since I was 8 years old.
I consider myself a Memphian and I am proud to say so. When I am not practicing law, I spend my time with my family; match pistol shooting; gourmet cooking and wood working. I am very passionate about my profession and I take pleasure in reading the law everyday.

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 rganizations 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."

I am a sole practitioner serving the public for twenty years on the courthouse square in Crossville TN. I am a member of the TN Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and also have a major focus on family and divorce law.

The primary focus of our firm is to provide effective representation and advocacy in the areas of criminal defense and family law. Should you have any questions, please contact Tracy Phillips immediately. Mrs. Phillips is the legal assistant to Ms. Mendez and can assist in scheduling an immediate appointment.

Michelle Blaylock-Howser has been involved in the judicial system for over 12 years. She began her legal career with the law firm of Agee, Allen, Godwin, Morris and Laurenzi where she was paralegal to partner Lynn Agee and Susan Bradley. In 1998, she became employed as paralegal with the law office of Wilson and Bradley in the area of employment and personal injury law. In 1999, She accepted employment as a Judicial Assistant for the State of Tennessee under the Honorable Judge Don R. Ash and Honorable Judge J. Mark Rogers for 8 years. She worked full-time for the State Judiciary while attending law school full-time. She accepted employment as an associate with Greg Reed and Associates in 2007 where she practices in the areas of divorce, child custody, family law, juvenile, criminal defense and employment law

I represent clients in family law, personal injury, criminal defense, and probate. I focus on my clients' individual needs. I always keep my clients informed about the status of their case and current legal issues that will effect them. I am readily available to answer questions and discuss all topics of law.

Graduate United States Naval Academy 1958 and University of Tennessee Law School 1963. Admitted to all state courts of record and Eastern and Middle District Federal Courts in Tennessee, and 6th Circuit Court of Appeals and United States Supreme Court.

I am a native of Robertson County and attended White House High School. I am married and have two children.

It is a pleasure to serve the community by providing legal services with diligence and professionalism. I am passionate about being a lawyer. It's my goal to make every client know I have done my best to represent them and help them make wise decisions in difficult times. Please contact me for an appointment to discuss your case.

Attorney Eskridge attended law school at the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law after graduating with Honors from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She began her career as an educator in the Nashville Metropolitan School District and continued in the field of education as a corporate trainer. Attorney Eskridge concentrates her practice in the areas of Criminal, Probate and Family Law including child support, child custody and adoption matters, as well as Small Business Litigation. Ms. Eskridge is a tireless community servant working with organizations including Red Cross, Memphis Food Bank, Boy Scouts of America, as well as local churches. She is a member of the Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.