Jacqueline Dixon in line to lead group in 2012

NASHVILLE, July 14, 2011 — Nashville lawyer Jacqueline B. Dixon took office as the Tennessee Bar Association's president-elect at the association's annual convention in Chattanooga. The move puts her in line to assume the presidency in June 2012.

Dixon is a shareholder in the firm of Weatherly McNally & Dixon PLC, where she focuses on family law, personal injury, wrongful death, and probate cases. She also is a Rule 31 listed family mediator. Dixon earned her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1986, and an undergraduate degree from Carson-Newman College. She is a native of Grainger County, Tenn.

Dixon has long been active in the Tennessee Bar Association, having served as president of the Young Lawyers Division in 1997 to 1998, on the association's Board of Governors for 11 years and as chair of the Membership Committee for six years. During her tenure as chair of the Membership Committee, the TBA grew by 3,000 members, which Dixon attributes to the outstanding member benefits offered by the association. She also serves on the TBA's Access to Justice Committee and Public Education Committee.

Dixon is enthusiastic about encouraging lawyers to participate in pro bono work and helping low-income individuals obtain greater access to civil legal services. She will work to continue the Tennessee Bar Association's efforts in that regard. She is a past chair of the TBA's Access to Justice Committee, the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services and Nashville Pro Bono Inc. In 2008, she chaired the annual fundraising campaign for the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. She received the Nashville Bar Association's Joseph G. Cummings Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year award in 2009. Dixon is also interested in helping to educate the public of all ages about how the American judicial system works.

Dixon has served the legal profession and the state as a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court Commission to Administer the Tennessee Lawyer's Assistance Program, and was secretary of the commission from 2000 to 2009. She also served on the State of Tennessee Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation from 1996 to 2006.

Dixon's community involvement includes service on the Carson-Newman College Alumni Association Board of Directors since 2008, and service on the board of First Steps Inc. -- a non-profit that provides services to children with special needs -- for more than 15 years, including a term as president of the organization.

Taking office along with Dixon was President Danny Van Horn of Memphis and Vice President Cynthia Richardson Wyrick of Sevierville. Van Horn is with the Memphis law firm of Butler, Snow, O'Mara & Cannada, where he leads the Commercial Litigation Group and the Pharmaceutical Medical Device and Healthcare Industry Team. He handles cases involving business torts, unfair competition, insurance coverage and product liability. Wyrick is a member in the firm of Ogle, Gass & Richardson PC. She practices in the areas of wrongful death, workers' compensation, personal injury, medical malpractice, wills and estates, and adoption, custody and child support.

The 2011 Tennessee Bar Association Annual Convention was held in conjunction with four other legal organizations -- the Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL), the Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women (TLAW), the Tennessee Association for Justice (TAJ) and the Tennessee Judicial Conference. This joint meeting structure allows the groups to address common issues and concerns. It also offers opportunities for additional education, long-range planning, and recognition of attorneys who have performed outstanding legal work and community service.