Members of the newly appointed 2026-2027 Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Board met in Nashville to plan for the upcoming bar year. The group also got to know one another better with a dinner at Ole Red and a wellness walk on Saturday planned by Health & Wellness Coordinator Chris Kelley. Later that day, the board conducted a Tennessee Free Legal Answers Clinic, continuing its commitment to being the "service arm of the bar." Working together, they answered 18 questions.

President-elect Jennifer Sneed-Perry, who will be sworn in as YLD president at the TBA Convention in June, provided an overview of the upcoming bar year as well as the expectations for all board members. She also introduced two initiatives for her year in office: increased law school engagement with the addition of six law student liaisons to the YLD Board and a focus on increasing education for attorneys and the public about estate planning, guardianships and conservatorships. The board also elected Andrea Morgan Hancock of Clinton as the District 2 representative. Mock Trial Chair Bridget Pyman was presented with the disco gavel for being the most enthusiastic participant at the meeting. Judge Zack Walden also was recognized with a disco gavel for his lively game of Traitors.

The YLD has district representative openings in Districts 10 and 12. YLD members interested in serving in these roles should send a letter of interest and resume to llabenberg@tnbar.org.

President-elect Jennifer Sneed-Perry (standing) addresses the full board of the YLD

Left: YLD President and Judge Alex McVeagh presents Judge Zack Walden with the disco gavel
Right: Chris Kelley ready to lead Saturday's wellness walk

From left: Faith Watson, Jennifer Sneed-Perry, Kamila Fernandez, Alyssa Fox and Wes Lakins handle questions at the Tennessee Free Legal Answers Clinic

From left: Mari Jasa, Savannah Oliver and Grace Burnett answer questions at the Tennessee Free Legal Answers Clinic