The following awards were presented at the 2024 TBA Convention in Memphis. For more information on recipients click on the link in each category.

Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award

J. Daniel Breen, a senior judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and a former Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) president, was honored with the Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award from the TBA and Tennessee’s American Inns of Court. The award was presented at the Bench Bar Luncheon on June 13.

Justice Frank F. Drowota III Award

Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly Kirby was honored with the TBA's prestigious Justice Frank F. Drowota Award. The award was presented at the Bench Bar Luncheon on June 13.

Claudia Jack Award

Cookeville attorney Laura Dykes was honored with the TBA's Fifth Annual Claudia Jack Award during the Lawyers Lunch on June 14.

Justice Joseph W. Henry Award for Outstanding Legal Writing

Memphis lawyer Miles Mason received the Justice Joseph W. Henry Award for Outstanding Legal Writing at the Lawyers Lunch on June 14.

Fourth Estate Award

Nashville Public Radio reporter Meribah Knight received the Fourth Estate Award to for her four-part podcast "The Kids of Rutherford County," which spotlighted the inhumane treatment of juveniles in Rutherford County. The award was presented at the Lawyers Lunch on June 14.

YLD Fellows William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award

Memphis attorney Bill Haltom received the TBA YLD Fellows William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award at the Lawyers Luncheon on June 14.

TBA Public Service Awards

The TBA’s Access to Justice Committee recognized the 2024 Public Service Award recipients at a Public Service Breakfast on June 13. This year's recipients were: Memphis-based Assistant Federal Public Defender Tyrone Paylor, who was recognized as the Ashley Wiltshire Public Service Attorney of the Year; Memphis attorney John Golwen, who was recognized as the Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award; and University of Tennessee law student Kim Riddett, who was recognized as Law Student Volunteer of the Year. Read more about this year’s recipients at the links above or in the May/June 2024 issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal.

TBA President’s Awards

TBA President Jim Barry recognized the following lawyers for their outstanding service during his year as president: Ann Pruitt and Linda Seely, for their work as Access to Justice Committee co-chairs; to Kendra Mansur, Laura Brown and Rachel Moses for their work on new TBA initiatives to address safe and stable housing; and to former Assistant Executive Director Barry Kolar for his 23 years of service to TBA, serving twice as interim executive director. The awards was presented at the Lawyers Lunch on June 14.

Larry Dean Wilks Leadership Award

Nashville lawyer Lorne Hiller was selected as the recipient of this year’s Larry Dean Wilks Leadership Award. The award is presented annually to a member of the TBA Leadership Law class at the group's graduation ceremony, held on June 14 this year.