Second nationwide honor recognizes impact of initiative

NASHVILLE, Feb. 23, 2010 — The Tennessee Bar Association's yearlong Justice 4ALL initiative has received an "Associations Advance America" (AAA) award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Center for Association Leadership — just one of 24 programs selected nationwide for the honor. It is the second national award for the program and the third overall.

The 4ALL program was launched in 2009 to expand access to justice for Tennesseans who could not afford legal representation. Through a four-point platform, the program educated professionals and the public on the need for pro bono legal services, recommended law and rules changes to encourage pro bono work, mobilized local bar associations and law firms to undertake pro bono activities, and provided free legal services to 1,300 needy individuals.

Responding to the award announcement, TBA President Gail Vaughn Ashworth said, "The deep care, constant concern and eager willingness to serve as demonstrated by the number of lawyers participating in this initiative was truly extraordinary. It is certainly an honor for the TBA to receive one of these prestigious awards."

The AAA award comes in addition to awards received from the Tennessee Society of Association Executives in July 2009 (for the Best Statewide Program by an Association) and the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division in August 2009 (for Best Service to the Public).

Now in its 20th year, the AAA award is designed to recognize contributions made by associations and showcase the impact associations can have on the quality of American life. The awards are given each year by the ASAE, which serves as the membership organization and voice of the association profession. Founded in 1920, ASAE has more than 22,000 association CEOs, staff professionals, industry partners and consulting members. ASAE serves approximately 10,000 associations that represent more than 287 million people in organizations worldwide.