Wyrick in line to lead group in 2013

NASHVILLE, July 14, 2011 — Sevierville lawyer Cynthia Richardson Wyrick took office as the Tennessee Bar Association's vice president at the association's annual convention in Chattanooga. The move puts her in line to assume the presidency in June 2013.

During her time in office, Wyrick hopes the encourage more citizens to run for public office, increase professionalism in the practice of law, and provide greater support for lawyers who open solo practices.

Wyrick earned her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1994. She began her career as a judicial clerk for Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Houston M. Goddard, serving with him from 1993-1994, and then with Judge Gary R. Wade, then on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, from 1994-1996. She joined the Sevierville law firm of Ogle, Gass & Richardson PC in 1996 and was named a member of the firm in 2000. She practices in the areas of wrongful death, workers' compensation, personal injury, medical malpractice, wills and estates, and adoption, custody and child support. She also is an experienced trial advocate and a Rule 31 listed mediator for civil and family law matters.

As a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, Wyrick has served in a number of capacities: as president of the Young Lawyers Division (2004-2005); member of the TBA's Leadership Law 2005-2006 class; chair of the Public Education Committee (2005-2006); chair of the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section (2006-2008); chair of the Programs Committee (2008-2011); and member of the Board of Governors (2003-2005 and 2008-current). In recognition of her leadership, Wyrick received the TBA President's Award in 2006.

Wyrick also has held leadership positions with a number of legal organizations in the state. From 2001 to 2003, she served on the Tennessee Bar Foundation's Grant Review Committee. Since 2006, she has served as a member of the Tennessee Justice Center Board of Directors, and was chair from 2010-2011. She also is a fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation and the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. On the national level, Wyrick served in the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates from 1993-1994 and again from 2004-2006. She has been very active in the ABA's Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, serving as vice chair of the Medicine and Law Committee (2008-current), chair of the Law In Public Service Committee (2006-2007) and fellow in the section's leadership program (2003-2005). In addition, her contributions to the practice of law were recognized by the ABA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section with its Small Firm Practitioner of Merit Award in 2005. Wyrick also is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the ABA Young Lawyers Division, senior counsel for the American College of Barristers and member of the American and Tennessee Association for Justice.

Finally, Wyrick is active in her local community. She is a member of the Sevier County Bar Association, graduate of the 2009 Leadership Sevier Class, and member of the University of Tennessee Library Friends Executive Committee (chair 2003-2005, member 1994-1997 and 2000-2006, and member emeritus (2005-current).

Taking office along with Wyrick was President Danny Van Horn of Memphis and President-Elect Jacqueline B. Dixon of Nashville. Van Horn is with the Memphis law firm of Butler, Snow, O'Mara & Cannada, where he leads the Commercial Litigation Group and handles cases involving business torts, unfair competition, insurance coverage and product liability. Dixon is a partner in the firm of Weatherly McNally & Dixon PLC, where she focuses on personal injury and wrongful death, domestic relations, and probate cases.

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.