| January 2010 CASA volunteer of the year named During the Tennessee Bar Association's Leadership Conference this month, the Young Lawyers Division presented the 2010 CASA Volunteer of the Year Award to Daniel Rowland of Johnson City. This annual award recognizes a court appointed special advocate who goes the extra mile in his or her work with a CASA program in the state. Rowland has served as a CASA volunteer for close to three years and under his watch 64 children have been placed in safe homes. In addition to representing children in court, Rowland authored a children's book that explains the juvenile court process and the role CASA plays, created a training program for new volunteers and filled in on two occasions for staff members on maternity leave. Rowland also impressed the award committee with his creative approach to finding new funding for his local CASA program: his own paycheck! When he is not volunteering for CASA of Northeast Tennessee, Rowland works at a local attorney's office as a Rule 31 mediator. In his employment contract, he included a provision that a portion of his fees is paid to CASA. Such a selfless act is just one of the many reasons Daniel Rowland was honored this year. Both Rowland and Stephanie Sanders, executive director of CASA of Northeast Tennessee, were recognized at the TBA Young Lawyers Division's mid-winter board dinner on Jan. 15 in Nashville. For more information about the award or the YLD's partnership with CASA contact Children's Issues Committee Chair Katrina Atchley at katchley@lewisking.com or (865) 541-5258. See photos from the event on TBAConnect Spring membership events planned Membership events are being planned in Chattanooga, Jackson, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville for the spring. Make plans now to join with fellow young lawyers in your area! Chattanooga -- Details pending. Jackson -- Jackson young lawyers will gather for a Diamond Jaxx game in April. More details to come. Knoxville -- Young lawyers in Knoxville will gather for the UT Orange & White Game on April 10. More details to come. Memphis -- On Tuesday, Feb. 23, young lawyers in Memphis will gather for a happy hour and Grizzlies game. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. at Silky O'Sullivan's on Beale Street. At 6:30 p.m., the group will walk to the FedEx Forum to watch the Grizzlies take on the Los Angeles Lakers. The cost is $20 per person, which includes a lower level ticket to the game. Space is limited. Please contact Asa Baker at asabaker@bellsouth.net to reserve your spot. Nashville -- Young lawyers in Nashville will gather on March 4 for a happy hour at the Broadway Brewhouse and then walk to the Sommet Center to watch the Predators take on the Los Angeles Kings. More details to come. New YLD affiliate approved At the YLD board's mid-winter meeting in Nashville this month, the application of the Upper Cumberland Young Lawyers Association to become an official affiliate of the TBA YLD was approved. The new organization represents young lawyers in Putnam County. To get involved in the group contact Philip Hatch at philip_hatch7@yahoo.com. Wills for Heroes volunteers needed Wills for Heroes events have been held in seven cities and have served more than 240 first responders and their families so far this bar year. The next event will be in Nashville on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Metro Police Department's East Precinct on East Trinity Lane. Approximately 40 attorney volunteers, 20 witness volunteers and 12 notaries are needed for the event. Two shifts are available: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; but any time a volunteer can give will be appreciated. For more information or to volunteer please contact Jenney Springer at jspringer@kcbattys.com or (615) 297-1007. The Wills for Heroes program was developed shortly after the 9/11 attacks. It provides free wills, powers of attorney and advanced directives for first responders and their spouses. Mock trial volunteers needed The 2010 mock trial season is in full swing and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Around the state, district mock trial coordinators are gearing up for local competitions during the month of February. To volunteer for one of these competitions please contact your local coordinator -- see a list. Two teams -- both in the Nashville area -- are still in need of attorney volunteers to help with coaching. If you are willing to give them one practice or coach all season, please contact Marisa Comes at mcombs@lewisking.com or (615) 259-1366. Finally, volunteers will be needed for the state competition March 19-20 in Nashville. Those who volunteer for two rounds (one on Friday and one on Saturday) will receive a complimentary hotel room and mileage reimbursement. All volunteers also are invited to a dinner on Friday night. For more information about the competition contact Marisa. Ready to volunteer? Download a response form here
ABA opportunities abound In addition to serving with the ABA YLD, opportunities exist to receive funding for activities that benefit local communities, leaders or members. Learn more about the ABA YLD subgrant program. Applications for funding are due March 1. Upcoming local bar events Local bar young lawyer groups have busy agendas for the new year. Activities include the following: Chattanooga Bar Association YLD -- The division will hold its local mock trial competition on Feb. 23, 24, 25 and 27. For information or to volunteer contact Jason Issacson at (423) 756-517 or jisaacson@gearhiserpeters.com Jackson Madison County Bar Association YLD -- The group will hold its January meeting on Jan. 29 and its February meeting on Feb. 25. The local mock trial competition will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27. To volunteer for the competition please contact Ashley Holliday at ashley@wtls.org or (731) 426-1302. Knoxville Bar Association Barristers -- The Knoxville mock trial competition is scheduled for Feb. 13 and 20. To get involved please contact coordinators Sonda Gifford or Katrina Atchley. Gifford can be reached at sondagifford@hotmail.com. Atchley can be reached at Maury County Bar Association YLD -- The local mock trial competition will be held Feb. 20. To get involved contact coordinator Cara Lynn at clynn@tgwlawfirm.com or (931) 388-8868. Memphis Bar Association YLD -- The Memphis mock trial competition will be held Feb. 16-18 and 22-24. To volunteer, please contact coordinators Abigail Webb (awebb@shuttleworthwilliams.com; 901-526-7399) or Nicole Grida (nicole.grida@leitnerfirm.com; 901-527-0214). Nashville Bar Association YLD -- The Nashville Bar Association Young Lawyers Division will hold a new admittee social event next Thursday, Jan. 28, at Paradise Park Cafe on Broadway from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Contact Claudia Richardson at claudia.richardson@counseloncall.com or Ryan Levy at rdl@iplawgroup.com for more information. Other Nashville events include: Mock Trial -- The division will hold the local Davidson County mock trial competition on Feb. 19-20 and is still looking for volunteers -- presiding judges, scorers and bailiffs -- for all rounds. Rounds will be held on Friday at 4 and 6 p.m. and on Saturday at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Please contact Brian Neal at bneal@fbtlaw.com or (615) 251-5574 for more information or to volunteer. Race Judicata -- On Saturday, Feb. 27, the NBA YLD will host Race Judicata, an annual 5K and 10K, at Percy Warner Park (Steeplechase Entrance). Funds raised this year will benefit Renewal House, a long-term recovery community for women with children and substance use addictions. For more information contact Becca Brinkley at becca.brinkley@wallerlaw.com. Northeast Tennessee YLA -- The association will hold its local mock trial competition on Feb. 13. Plans are also in the works for a Wills for Heroes event in April. For information about the YLA contact President Carter Massengill at massenlc@netscape.net or (423) 764-1174. Upper Cumberland YLA -- The association will host its local mock trial competition on Feb. 20. For more information contact Rachel Moses at rmoses@lglaid.org or (931) 528-7436. The following continuing legal education courses, produced by the Young Lawyers Division, are scheduled for the next few months: Demystifying the Ethics Process Registration: 12-12:30 p.m. in Memphis & Nashville; 1-1:30 p.m. in Knoxville Social Networking Web Cast Series |
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Vol. 8, No. 7 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 htipton@watsonroach.com Hanson Tipton Knoxville 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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