TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Apr 20, 2026

The University of Tennessee Winston College of Law recently dedicated the Pamela Reeves Institute for Professional Leadership. Seventeen past TBA presidents — including Reeves' husband Charles Swanson — were on hand to celebrate the renaming of the institute. According to the school, the renaming was made possible through the generosity of the Larry Wilks Distinguished Practitioner in Residence George “Buck” T. Lewis and his wife Malinda. Lewis is a co-founder of the institute, which helps students identify and develop their leadership skills, professional values and career path through interdisciplinary programming. Reeves was a 1979 graduate of the law school and became the first woman to serve as both district judge and chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Prior to joining the bench, she was a respected mediator in private practice and served as TBA's first female president from 1998-1999.

TBA past presidents gather at dedication of UT's Reeves Institute for Professional Leadership

Past TBA presidents at the renaming of the Institute for Professional Leadership. From left:
Front row: Michelle Greenway Sellers, Sherie Edwards, Tasha Blakney, Judge Cindy Wyrick, Sarah Sheppeard, Jackie Dixon, Heidi Barcus, Gail Vaughn Ashworth, Sam Elliott, Marcy Eason
Second row: Charles Swanson, John Tarpley
Third row: Danny Van Horn, Bill Haltom, Buck Lewis, Jason Long, Jonathan Steen

TBA past presidents gather at dedication of UT's Reeves Institute for Professional Leadership

From left: Past TBA Presidents Judge Cindy Wyrick, Jackie Dixon, Gail Vaughn Ashworth, Michelle Greenway Sellers, Heidi Barcus