TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Feb 3, 2021

Knoxville lawyer Emily Arline Winchester Guyton died Jan. 30 at age 87. A native of Biloxi, Mississippi, Guyton moved to Knoxville in 1962 with her physician husband and children. In 1971, she fulfilled a longtime dream when she graduated from the University of Tennessee College Law despite facing questions about whether the law was an appropriate profession for a woman and mother. Guyton opened a solo practice and later joined with Amelia and Harry Strauss. After they died, she joined Myron Ely to form the firm of Ely, Hogin & Guyton. When her son-in-law Matthew Frère earned his law degree, she joined him at Guyton & Frère. Her daughter, Kelly Guyton Frère, soon graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law and joined the firm. At various times, Guyton also served as a special judge in the Knoxville circuit and chancery courts. She retired from the practice of law in 2004. Several years ago, Guyton participated in the Knoxville Bar Association’s Legal History Video project. Listen to her interview. Per her request there will be no memorial service. Memorial donations may be made to the Dr. James R. Guyton Jr. Leadership Scholarship Endowment c/o Bethel University, Office of the President, 325 Cherry Ave., McKenzie, TN 38201. The fund supports health care personnel serving rural communities.