YLD election update
Members of the Young Lawyers Division will vote on three contested elections at the division's annual membership meeting June 12 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. A fourth race, which had been contested, is no longer in contention. Mason Wilson with Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC in Memphis has been elected treasurer with the withdrawal of two candidates who had qualified to run for the position. Nashville attorney Amber Michelle Roderer with Deloitte Tax LLP withdrew on April 23, and Nashville attorney Matt Potempa with the Tennessee Department of Human Services withdrew on April 29.

The remaining contested seats are YLD Vice President, Middle Tennessee Governor and District 10 Representative. Biographical information was provided by the candidates or taken from public sources. Candidates are listed below in alphabetical order by last name.

Vice President (2 candidates)

Candidate: Tasha Blakney
Hometown: Knoxville
Firm: Eldridge & Blakney PC
Law School: University of Tennessee (1999)
Tasha Blakney is a shareholder in the Knoxville firm of Eldridge & Blakney PC, which she co-founded in September of 2003. Blakney has served on the board of the TBA YLD since 2002, having held the positions of chair of the Law Week Committee, inaugural chair of the Children's Issues Committee, East Tennessee Governor and delegate to the American and Tennessee Bar Associations' Houses of Delegates. During her two-year tenure as Children's Issues Committee chair, Blakney oversaw the YLD's implementation of the successful "Building Healthy Relationships" program, which earned her the YLD President's Distinguished Service Award in 2006. She has twice been named a YLD Star of the Quarter. Blakney also has received the Knoxville Bar Association President's Award for her work as co-chair of the Pro Bono Committee and the KBA Barristers President's award for her service as a charter member and three-time co-chair of the Hunger & Poverty Relief Committee. She is a graduate of the TBA's Leadership Law Class and the ABA TIPS Section's National Leadership Academy. In January of 2008, she was honored in Knoxville's inaugural "40 Under 40" by the Greater Knoxville Business Journal. Blakney also was recently selected as the TBA YLD's nominee for the American Bar Association YLD's National Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award.

Candidate: Hanson R. Tipton
Hometown: Knoxville
Firm: Watson, Roach, Batson, Rowell & Lauderback PLC
Law School: University of Tennessee (2002)
Hanson Tipton currently serves the TBA YLD as co-editor of the Tennessee Young Lawyer publication. During the 2006-2007 bar year, he was the Knoxville city captain for the YLD's CLE Committee. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association's Leadership Law Class of 2008. Tipton graduated from Florida State University in 1996 and received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2002. He is licensed to practice in the state of Tennessee (2002), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee (2004) and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (2006). He practices civil defense litigation at the Knoxville law firm of Watson, Roach, Batson, Rowell & Lauderback PLC and focuses his practice primarily in the areas of workers' compensation, governmental tort liability and medical malpractice defense. Tipton previously clerked for the late Tennessee Senior Judge John K. Byers. His local bar involvement includes service on the Knoxville Bar Association's Judicial Committee and as a barrister member of the Hamilton Burnett Chapter of the American Inns of Court.

Middle Tennessee Governor (2 candidates; a third candidate, Nashville attorney Matt Potempa with the Tennessee Department of Human Services, qualified to run for the position but withdrew from consideration on April 15)

Candidate: Marjorie Kaup Haines
Hometown: Franklin
Firm: Kay B. Housch PC
Law School: Nashville School of Law (2007)
Marjorie Haines received a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Middle Tennessee State University in 2003 and a law degree from the Nashville School of Law in 2007. She is a current member of the Tennessee Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association and Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women. Outside of work, Haines serves as a volunteer for Planned Parenthood and is active in Commercial Real Estate Women and Success in the City. During law school, Haines co-founded the Nashville School of Law Legal Society, and served as its president from 2006-2007. Haines is employed with the firm of Kay B. Housch PC, focusing in the area of multi-site commercial real estate transactions. In running for Middle Tennessee Governor, Haines writes that she "will be successful in soliciting new interest in the YLD, as well as active participation from the current membership." She also believes she "can harness the enthusiasm of Nashville School of Law graduates and current students for the benefit of the YLD." Finally, she states that her specialty will assist the board with concerns and current issues in real estate law.

Candidate: Jason M. Pannu
Hometown: Nashville
Firm: Lewis King Krieg & Waldrop PC
Law School: University of Alberta (2002)
Jason M. Pannu, an associate attorney at Lewis King Krieg & Waldrop PC, focuses his practice on construction law, including general commercial litigation, lien and bond claims, and architects and engineers liability. He regularly represents contractors, designers and other industry members in arbitration and court matters. In addition, he advises construction industry clients on pertinent aspects of immigration law. Pannu earned a bachelors degree in finance from the University of Northern British Columbia in 1998 and a law degree from the University of Alberta (Ontario) in 2002. He is admitted to practice in Ontario and Tennessee. His involvement with the TBA YLD includes current service as a member of the board and its executive committee, Middle Tennessee Governor, and liaison to the Membership Committee. During the 2006-2007 bar year he held the position of Nashville membership captain. In addition to active service with the Tennessee Bar Association, Pannu is a member of the American Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association, Canadian Bar Association, Law Society of Upper Canada and Ontario Bar Association. He also is a member of the Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel and currently serves as president of the group's Young Lawyers Division.

District 10 Representative (2 candidates)

Candidate: Bradley M. Carter
Hometown: Clarksville
Firm: Runyon and Runyon
Law School: University of Memphis (2004)
Bradley M. Carter was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and presently lives in Clarksville. After graduating from Farragut High School in 1996, he attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He then moved to Memphis and attended the University of Memphis Law School, graduating in May of 2004. Desiring to relocate to the Middle Tennessee area, Carter joined the Clarksville law firm of Runyon and Runyon in 2005. His practice includes family law, juvenile court matters, personal injury and contract law matters. His community service includes serving as the 2008-2009 president of the Hilldale Kiwanis Club of Clarksville and as a board member of the Montgomery County Bar Association. Outside the practice of law, Carter reports he is happily married to Kristen Carter, an elementary school teacher, and enjoys running, canoeing and hiking. He says he is very excited at the prospect of representing District 10 and will do his very best should he be elected. Finally, he reports that his interest in the position stems from his involvement assisting the current representative, Raymond F. Runyon, with the district's annual backpack service project, and from his older brother, Patrick Carter, who has been involved with the YLD for many years.

Candidate: William J. Sweeten
Business Location: Clarksville
Law School: Nashville School of Law (2007)
William J. Sweeten holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a second degree in computer science. A former Army officer, he spent eight years in command of Bomb Disposal Units. He is also a flight instructor and holds an Airline Transport License. Sweeten has spent many hours as a volunteer and leader for community and civic organizations within Montgomery County, including five years with Youth Court; Hilldale Civitan Club; Clarksville Rotary Club; United Way, where he served on the Budget Committee; and the Clarksville Humane Society, where he served on the Board of Directors. Sweeten recently volunteered and scored trial rounds at the YLD's State High School Mock Trial Competition. His goal for District 10 is to increase the number of involved, participating members and provide new opportunities for networking, professional development and training within the large geographic area that encompasses the district. He also wants to raise the visibility of the YLD as a means for professional pride and personal growth for young lawyers who will be the future leaders of their profession and communities.

Habitat for Humanity House
Young lawyers in Macon, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale and Wilson counties have the opportunity to contribute "sweat equity" to a Habitat for Humanity house being built in the area. The building project will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Learn more about Habitat for Humanity. For additional details about the Wilson County project contact David Veile at (615) 443-8777 or dveile@comcast.net.

Orange Grove Center Fundraiser
In Hamilton County, young lawyers will gather on Friday, May 16, to test their golf skills in a tournament to raise funds for the Orange Grove Center. The center is a private non-profit organization serving adults and children with developmental disabilities. The entry fee is $70 per person or $250 for a team, which includes greens fees, food and drinks. Learn more about the Orange Grove Center. For tournament details or to register contact David McDowell at (423) 756-5171 or dmcdowell@gplace.com.

May 16, 2008
Ethics Forum: Demystifying the State Disciplinary Process
In this three-hour course, participants will learn about the state disciplinary process, common mistakes that trip up lawyers and the role malpractice insurance plays in the profession. Speakers include attorneys representing the Board of Professional Responsibility, the state entity that investigates allegations of attorney misconduct, and attorneys who represent those accused of wrongdoing. Learn more or register here
Producers: Matt Potempa and Candice Reed
Credit: 3 E&P Hours
Date: Friday, May 16
Time: 8:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. program
Location: Nashville; Tennessee Bar Center, 221 Fourth Avenue North
Speakers confirmed: Krissann Hodges, Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility; James A. Crumlin Jr., Bone McAllester Norton PLLC; Brian Faughnan, Adams and Reese LLP; and Lela Hollabaugh, Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis LLP

June 13, 2008
The YLD will offer three one-hour continuing legal education courses at this year's TBA Convention in Gatlinburg. Learn more about these programs

Wills for Heroes Training Seminar

8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 1 general credit
Producer: Michelle Sellers
This session is geared toward, and required for, attorneys who want to participate in a YLD-sponsored public service project following the CLE. Those who participate in the project will assist local first responders with basic estate planning services.

Technology for Today's Lawyer: 60 Gadgets in 60 Minutes

10 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1 general credit
Producer: Cynthia Cutler
Speakers: Bill Ramsey, Neal & Harwell PLC; Phillip Hampton, Logic Force Consulting LLP
Learn the latest tech tools, tips and gadgets from a "techie" attorney and a technology consultant who works exclusively with lawyers and law firms. The pair will teach you how to be an efficient and effective technology user, and be aware of ethical issues raised by the ever-changing technology landscape. Bill and Phil move at warp speed, so fasten your seatbelt and get ready for a fun and fascinating seminar. Check out their blog at www.thebillandphilshow.com

Taking the Legalese Out of Legal Writing
2 p.m. to 3 p.m., 1 general credit
Producer: Cynthia Cutler
Speaker: Andrew Roskind, McKellar Roskind LLP
A seminar full of tips for writing clear, concise and persuasive documents that rise above legalese.

Copyright 2008 Tennessee Bar Association