| August 2008 YLD launches voter education campaign The TBA Young Lawyers Division this week distributed a number of resources for teachers, students and families to use in advance of the 2008 presidential election. The material, available on a new Voter Awareness web page, includes a PowerPoint presentation, as well as links to party organizations, debate information and a sample voter registration form. The slide show covers a range of issues including the history of voting rights in this country, how to register to vote and why it is important to exercise the right to vote. Feel free to refer others to these helpful resources. The YLD would like to thank Nashville lawyers Tara M. Aaron with Stites & Harbison and Emily Plokin with Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC for serving as chair and vice chair of the 2008 Voter Awareness Committee and authoring these materials. New issue of TYL available The Summer 2008 issue of the Tennessee Young Lawyer is now available online and should be in your mailbox by now. The issue features articles about the enforceability of limited liability clauses, new employment protections for fire fighters, and generational differences in the legal workplace. Standing columns include the President's Corner, YLD in the Community, Face of the Young Lawyer, and Barely Legal -- the TYL's humor column. Download a pdf version of the publication here. Not yet a published author? We can help. Editor Hanson Tipton is looking for contributors to write substantive legal articles as well as feature articles throughout the year. If you would like to submit an article, please contact him at htipton@watsonroach.com. The YLD is going green Speaking of the Tennessee Young Lawyer, the Summer 2008 issue will be the last print version of the publication. Beginning with the next issue, TYL is moving to an all-digital format. Future issues will be sent as a pdf file via email allowing readers to view it from the comfort of their computer screen or print it out to read later. The email also will include a link to download the issue from the YLD web site. There are several reasons for this change, not the least of which is to cut down on the considerable cost of printing and delivering the publication. Cost-savings aside, however, we prefer to think of it as the YLD "going green." In order to ensure that you do not miss an issue, please make sure that the TBA has your current email address. Visit Membership Central on the TBA web site to update your contact information. First Wills for Heroes a success On Aug. 2, the YLD's statewide service project, Wills for Heroes, kicked off in Maury County with much success. Thanks to the help of TBA YLD members, the Maury County Bar Association and a range of sponsors, 34 attorneys were able to serve 76 first responders with copies of wills, powers of attorney and advanced directives. A special thanks to Columbia lawyers Wesley Bryant and John Clark with Hardin, Parkes, Kelley & Carter PLLC for organizing the event. The YLD also would like to thank these sponsors for providing computer equipment and logistical support: AIM Healthcare of Franklin; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC in Memphis; Hardin, Parkes, Kelley & Carter PLLC in Columbia; Lewis King Krieg & Waldrop PC in Knoxville; and Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell PLC and Waldrop & Hall PA, both of Jackson. The next service project is set for October 9 and 11 in Knoxville. To volunteer for that event please contact Sonda Gifford at sgifford@woolfmcclane.com. YLD leaders hit the 'Big Apple' The American Bar Association held its Annual Meeting in New York City earlier this month, and the TBA YLD was well represented. On Aug. 8-9, hundreds of young lawyer delegates came together to debate and discuss issues affecting the profession and local communities. The Tennessee delegates to the ABA YLD Assembly included President Michelle Greenway Sellers, President-elect David Changas, Vice President Tasha Blakney, Treasurer Mason Wilson and CLE Chair Matt Potempa. A number of important resolutions were put before the Assembly in the two-day meeting, and former TBA YLD President Danny Van Horn was involved in moving a resolution dealing with conflict screens for lawyers changing firms. In addition to the Assembly, the delegation attended the ABA YLD Fellows Dinner Dance and Award Presentation at Cipriani, at which Legal Services Corporation President Helaine M. Barnett - the first legal aid attorney to serve in the post - was honored. On Saturday, most of the delegation took in a Mets game at soon-to-be-demolished Shea Stadium with lawyers from Florida, Michigan, Minnesota and North Carolina. The meeting was a great success, and the YLD looks forward to the ABA YLD's fall meeting in San Diego in early October. Upper Cumberland YLA to meet An Upper Cumberland Young Lawyers Association is being formed for all new or young lawyers who live or work in the Upper Cumberland area. The group held its first meeting earlier this month, and will meet next on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Bucco's Bistro in Cookeville. Topics of discussion will include plans for the Cookeville Wills for Heroes Project on Nov. 1. For more information about the group or the dinner, contact Rachel Moses of the Legal Aid Society at rmoses@las.org or (931) 528-7436. Mark your calendar for tailgate Rebecca Blair, Brandon Bass and Laura Bishop of Day & Blair are hosting a Rocky Top Tailgate for the Tennessee v. Florida game in Knoxville on Sept. 20. There will be barbeque, drinks and games on a big screen. The party begins three hours before kickoff in the parking lot at 1804 White Avenue, immediately off the strip behind McAllister's and Copper Cellar. All are invited. YLD members complete leadership program Memphis lawyer Effie V. Bean Cozart with Butler, Snow, O'Mara, Stevens & Cannada PLLC; Nashville lawyer James Albert Crumlin Jr. with Bone McAllester Norton PLLC; and Knoxville lawyer Benjamin W. Jones with Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop PC graduated from the American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section 2008 Leadership Academy on Aug. 9 during the ABA meeting in New York City. They were among 22 participants in this year's class. The TIPS Leadership Academy provides participants with the tools, knowledge and skills necessary to lead the legal profession and to improve leadership service in the community as a whole. Congratulations to all! Mock Trial 2009 update Competition Date -- As previously reported, the Tennessee State High School Mock Trial Competition will take place March 13-14, 2009, in Nashville. The committee is aware that this date conflicts with the March SAT offering, but it was the only weekend available for the state competition. Team coaches and district coordinators are encouraged to remind students of this conflict early on so they do not register for this test date. Volunteers Needed -- If you have any ideas for a criminal scenario that would work well as this year's problem or if you are interested in serving on the 2008-2009 Mock Trial Committee please contact the chair, Marisa Lee Combs, at (615) 384-8444 or mcombs@larrywilks.comVarious roles are available, and volunteers do not have to reside in Nashville to assist the committee. The YLD is offering its annual Transactional Practice CLE Oct. 3. This year's three-hour seminar will focus on advising small to mid-sized companies throughout the business life cycle, especially given the current economic situation. Here are the details: |
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Vol. 7, No. 2 IN THIS ISSUE FROM THE EDITOR You are receiving E-DICT as a member benefit of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. E-DICT features information about upcoming YLD events and ways to get involved, while at the same time showing that we do not take ourselves too seriously. E-DICT is sent monthly to all TBA young lawyer members, law student members, affiliate representatives and TBA YLD Fellows. If you have comments or suggestions regarding the newsletter, please contact the editor at mpetrinjak@raineykizer.com Mary Petrinjak Jackson ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION Statements or opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Tennessee Bar Association, its officers, board or staff. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION |
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