TBA HIGHLIGHTS FROM ABA ANNUAL MEETING

Diversity Law Week, Reporters Workshop Receive National Recognition

The TBA Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) Diversity Law Week program was recognized at the American Bar Association (ABA) Annual Meeting in Chicago in August. The program received an achievement award as one of the top state programs in the country related to diversity. The program was created by Quinton Thompson, immediate past YLD president. Program co-chairs were Chattanooga attorney Ariel Anthony, Memphis attorney Kevin Christopher and Nashville attorney Erin Shackelford. Over the course of the week, 100 diverse high school students across the state had an opportunity to shadow attorneys, explore courtrooms and immerse themselves in law school for a day.

From left: YLD Immediate Past President Quinton Thompson, YLD Secretary Ross Smith, YLD President Sean Aiello, YLD board member and Assembly Clerk of the ABA YLD Patrick Morris, and YLD Middle Tennessee Governor Alix Rogers at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Additionally, the TBA’s Reporters Workshop — a two-day event designed to educate journalists about the Tennessee legal system and issues related to media law — received a Community & Educational Outreach Award from the National Association for Bar Professionals and LexisNexis. The program brings selected journalists to Nashville each April for sessions centered on investigative journalism, Tennessee's Open Meetings and open records laws, reporter's privilege, defamation, and covering courts and state and local governments. Produced jointly by the TBA and the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, the program also is made possible by the generous support of the Tennessee Press Association and several Tennessee law firms.

From left: TBA President Ed Lanquist, Chief Justice Holly Kirby, Jonathan Cole

TBA Hosts Reception for Chief Justice Kirby, Cole Takes Gavel as Chair of ABA House of Delegates

The TBA hosted a reception during the ABA Annual Meeting honoring Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly Kirby. Justice Kirby has served on the court since 2014 and was named chief justice in 2023. Before joining the court, she made history as the first woman in the state to be named to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, where she served for almost 19 years. Jonathan Cole, a lawyer with Baker Donelson in Nashville, became chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates at the conclusion of the 2024 ABA Annual Meeting. As chair of the House of Delegates, the ABA’s policymaking body, Cole will serve for two years in the second-highest office in the association. Action taken by the House of Delegates on specific issues becomes official policy of the ABA.

NASHVILLE LAWYER TO LEAD NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION

Nashville lawyer Ashley L. Upkins recently was elected president-elect of the National Bar Association (NBA) at the group’s annual meeting in Las Vegas. She will take over as president in 2025 and will be the first Tennessee woman to serve in the role. Upkins has been an active NBA member since her days as a member of the inaugural Belmont University College of Law class and has held several leadership positions. She is a graduate of the TBA YLD'S Class of 2013 Diversity Leadership Institute. She currently leads litigation at Silicon Ranch, an independent power producer. Founded in 1925, the NBA is the nation’s oldest and largest association of Black lawyers, judges, law professors and law students.

 

TBA NEWS

TBA Staff Member Named to National High School Mock Trial Committees

TBA’s Young Lawyers Division and Law Student Development Coordinator Laura Labenberg has been selected to serve on two committees for the National High School Mock Trial Championship. Labenberg, who among other responsibilities, coordinates the state high school mock trial competition, will sit on the Site Selection and Grants committees. The national mock trial competition is held each May in locations across the country. Tennessee’s first place team goes on to compete at the competition each year.

New TBA Staff Members

The TBA added two new staff members in July. Jen Robinson is the new technical systems administrator. She holds a bachelor's degree in education from Western Kentucky University and several IT certifications, including ITIL 4 and Google IT Professional Support. She also has an extensive background in customer service. Prior to joining TBA, Robinson was a systems administrator at Integrated Management Strategies in Vienna, Virginia. In addition, Azya Thornton has joined the staff as the new communications coordinator. She manages TBA’s social media and podcasts and helps produce the TBA Today daily e-newsletter. Prior to joining TBA, Thornton handled communications at an environmental nonprofit managing web content, social media and membership communications. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Connecticut.

2024-2025 Section Chairs

Section chairs have been announced for the 2024-2025 bar year! The TBA supports 33 sections — specialized groups that focus on a particular legal or practice area. Each of these sections provides its members with a number of resources and activities, from continuing legal education to news, information and advocacy. TBA members can join a section at any time during the year, and section members receive exclusive CLE discounts and leadership opportunities. Reach out to these leaders to see what's happening in your practice area and how you can get involved. Visit www.tba.org/sections to learn more.

Administrative Law Jerry Taylor

Adoption Law Julia Spannaus

Animal Law Jessica Schultz

Appellate Practice Laura Deakins

Bankruptcy Law Jeremy Jones

Business Law Katie Smalley

Communications Law Todd Hambidge

Construction Law Theresa Critchfield

Corporate Counsel Lisa Marie Crews

Creditors Practice Nathan Lybarger

Criminal Justice Melanie Reid

Disability Law Chris George

Dispute Resolution Wendy Oliver

Elder Law Drew Clements

Entertainment & Sports Law Alandis Brassel

Environmental Law Ellery Richardson

Estate Planning & Probate Charles Frazier

Family Law George Spanos

Federal Practice Brent Jones

General Solo Crystal Cole

Health Law Ian Hennessey

Immigration Law Terry Olsen

Intellectual Property Shawn Sentilles

International Law George Phillips

Juvenile & Children's Law Stacie Odeneal

Labor & Employment Heather Collins

Law Technology and Management Bill Ramsey

LGBT Law Maureen Holland

Litigation Mary T. Gallagher

Local Government Practice Sunny Sandos

Real Estate Jay Moneyhun

Tax Law Brad Sagraves

Tort & Insurance Jordan Gibson

TBALL Nominations

The 21st Annual TBA Leadership Law (TBALL) program has launched its annual call for nominations for the 2025 class. Nominees should have from five to 15 years of experience in practice. Nominations are due Oct. 4. 35 lawyers from across the state were accepted into the program last year. TBALL programming will kick off in January 2025 with an opening retreat at Montgomery Bell State Park and end in June with class commencement during the TBA Annual Convention in Franklin. Email TBALL coordinators Tanja Trezise (ttrezise@tnbar.org) or Jarod Word (jword@tnbar.org) with questions. The nomination form is available at www.tba.org/TBALLnominationform.

October is Celebrate Pro Bono Month

In October, Tennessee lawyers are joining colleagues across the country to increase meaningful access to justice and commitment to pro bono work. Tennessee’s statewide Celebrate Pro Bono Month initiative brings together legal services providers with bar associations, law schools, law firms and individual volunteers to offer free services to those unable to afford a lawyer. The month of October is an opportunity to focus attention on the significant need for pro bono services as well as a time to celebrate the outstanding work of those in the legal community who volunteer their services throughout the year. Events, including in-person and virtual opportunities to volunteer, will be promoted in TBA Today, via social media and on the TBA website. If you have information about an event, please share it with us at tbatoday@tnbar.org.

Write to the Journal

Letters to the editor are welcomed and considered for publication on the basis of timeliness, taste, clarity and space. They should include the author’s name, address and phone number (for verification purposes). Please send your comments to editor@tnbar.org. |||