NASHVILLE, May 9, 2024 — Memphis attorney John Golwen has been named the 2024 Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year by the Tennessee Bar Association for his work in combating generational poverty in Memphis and helping youth succeed.

A Memphis native and litigation partner at Bass Berry & Sims, Golwen brought legal expertise together with his experience from volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis to help support the PURE Academy in Memphis. That organization, founded by former gang member Melvin Cole, is focused on training young boys to excel in academics and athletics, while exposing them to many opportunities that will prepare them to become productive men.

Golwen, with the support of Bass Berry & Sims, handled a private development application through the Division of Planning & Development, Land Use Control Board and Memphis City Council to obtain basic approval for PURE’s 3.5-acre campus in South Memphis. In 2023, he led a team working on the acquisition of a new seven acre campus in North Memphis where PURE will be able to serve 300 young men, greatly expanding the number of youth served.

“This transactional legal work secured space for PURE to develop facilities to help break the cycle of generational poverty in Memphis by sending its graduates to college … and providing mentors who make sure the students have the support needed to succeed in college,” Bass Berry & Sims colleague David Esquival wrote in his nomination of Golwen. “By applying his skills and experience, John is helping to ensure that the organization and the young men that it serves have facilities to match its mission. This is pro bono work at its very best.”

The Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award, which recognizes significant pro bono work by an attorney in private practice or corporate setting, will be presented during a Public Service Breakfast June 13 in Memphis as part of the TBA Annual Convention.

The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) is the largest professional association in Tennessee with nearly 14,000 members. Founded in 1881, the TBA represents the entire spectrum of the legal profession in Tennessee and beyond, and is dedicated to enhancing fellowship and professionalism among the members of Tennessee’s legal community.