| June 2010 YLD decides four races The TBA Young Lawyers Division held its annual election during the TBA Convention earlier this month. YLD members in attendance elected Secretary Stacie Winkler with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC in Memphis; Treasurer Marisa Combs with Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop PC in Nashville; District 10 Representative Garth Click with the Law Offices of Larry D. Wilks in Springfield; and District 14 Representative Michael McLaren with Butler, Snow, O'Mara, Stevens & Cannada PLLC in Memphis. President Tasha Blakney with Eldridge & Blakney PC in Knoxville and President-Elect Mason Wilson with Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC in Memphis also took office at the meeting. Other officers and board members were elected without opposition this past spring, including even-numbered district representatives. They are: See a list of all 2010-2011 board members on the YLD's web site. Lawyers recognized for service During the TBA's convention this month, a number of young lawyers were recognized for their service to the bar, the profession and the public. Two lawyers -- Lebanon lawyer David Veile and Memphis lawyer Stacie Winkler -- received the YLD President's Award for exceptional service. Veile, who serves with Lowery, Lowery & Cherry PLLC, was recognized for coordinating 12 legal clinics, which served 453 first responders and their families, and involved more than 350 volunteers. Winkler, an attorney with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC, was honored for her work as chair of the division's Continuing Legal Education Committee, which produced three live programs and four webcast programs for young lawyers this past year. The YLD's 2010 Public Service Day Project of the Year Award went to Knoxville lawyer Michael Sayne, an attorney with Pilot Travel Centers LLC. Sayne received the award for his work planning the first annual "Helping Kids, Fighting Abuse" fundraiser, which benefited Childhelp Tennessee. Sayne served as event chair of the breakfast, which raised more than $20,000 for the organization's child advocacy center and foster care facility. In addition, four young lawyers were named "Stars of the Quarter" for noteworthy work undertaken during the year. Nashville lawyer Marisa Combs, an attorney with Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop PC, was honored for her service as chair of the Tennessee High School Mock Trial Committee. Knoxville lawyer Troy Weston, an attorney with Eldridge & Blakney PC, was recognized for service as vice chair of the committee. Knoxville attorney Chris McCarty with Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop PC received the award for his service on the YLD Continuing Legal Education Committee. And Nashville lawyer and solo practioner Matt Potempa was named a star for coordinating the provision of free legal services to victims of recent flooding in Middle and Western Tennessee. Read more about these award winners on TBA's web site Blakney announces platform Knoxville lawyer Tasha Blakney, a partner with Eldridge & Blakney PC, was installed as president of the Young Lawyers Division for the 2010-2011 year during the TBA Convention this month. After accepting the gavel from Immediate Past President David Changas, Blakney announced two new initiatives for the year. The first is a program to place law students as interns with interested Tennessee trial judges. The purpose of the program is two-fold: to help law students find meaningful summer positions as law firms scale back associate programs, and to help the state's busy trial judges -- many of whom do not have law clerks or interns. The second initiative is a mentoring program for minority law students. Building on the YLD's existing mentoring program, Blakney hopes to provide minority students an opportunity to interact with lawyers who not only can provide basic guidance in the practice of law, but can provide a unique perspective on the issues facing minorities in the legal profession. Anyone interested in getting involved in one or both of these projects, should contact Blakney at tblakney@eblaw.us. Fellows name new officers, members The TBA YLD Fellows held its annual meeting this month and elected new officers for the coming year. The group now will be led by Nashville lawyer Scott Carey with Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC. Other officers include Immediate Past President and Blountville judge Rob Montgomery; Vice President Cynthia Richardson Wyrick, a Sevierville lawyer with Ogle, Gass & Richardson PC; Secretary Angelia Morie Nystrom with Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC in Knoxville; and Treasurer Andrew Sellers with Waldrop & Hall PA in Jackson. The group also inducted the following new members at its meeting: Patrick M. Carter, a partner with Hardin, Parkes, Kelley & Carter PLLC in Columbia; Memphis lawyer and Adams and Reese partner Brian S. Faughnan; Knoxville lawyer Carol Anne Long; Maryville lawyer Justin Martin with Kizer & Black Attorneys PLLC; Crossville lawyer Margaret Jane Powers, founder of the Powers Law Firm; Clarksville lawyer Ray Runyon with Runyon & Runyon; and Kingsport lawyer Laura Steel Woods, a partner with Hunter, Smith & Davis LLP. The Fellows also inducted TBA's new president Sam D. Elliott, a member in the Chattanooga firm of Gearhiser, Peters, Cavett, Elliott & Cannon, as an honorary member of the group. Read more about these new fellows on the TBA web site The Fellows also presented the William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award to Nashville Mayor and lawyer Karl Dean for his extraordinary service to the people of Nashville and Middle Tennessee in the wake of devastating flooding last month. In addition to the timely and organized provision of basic services to flood victims, the award recognized his commitment to the provision of pro bono legal services to those affected by the flooding. Changas to fill open TBA board seat At the Tennessee Bar Association's Board of Governors meeting June 5, members chose Nashville lawyer David Changas to fill the Fifth District seat vacated by Jackie Dixon when she was elected TBA vice president. Changas, a partner with Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop PC and the YLD's immediate past president, will hold the seat until the board's next annual election in the spring of 2011.
New lawyers sworn in Memphis school seeks mock trial coach Southwind High School, located in East Memphis near the Hickory Hills area, is looking for an attorney who would be willing to work with its students to field a mock trial team in the 2011 competition. Anyone willing to take the lead in this effort or join a team of lawyers in coaching the students should contact YLD Director Stacey Shrader at (615) 383-7421 or sshrader@tnbar.org. Chattanooga Bar Association YLD -- The group will host a mixer with the local Young CPA Chapter on July 8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Las Margaritas. For more information contact YLD President Jason Demastus at jddemast@kkflawfirm.com. Memphis Bar Association YLD -- The MBA YLD will field a team for the "Kickin' It for CASA Kickball Tournament" on Aug. 28. The event benefits the Shelby County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Advocacy Program. The tournament is a one-day, single-elimination event at Willow Park. Anyone interested in joining the team should contact Shon Johnson at sjohnson@blackmclaw.com or David McKinney at dmckinney@BPJLAW.com. For information about the Memphis YLD, contact President Kyle Wiggins at kwiggins@bakerdonelson.com or (901) 577-8264. Nashville Bar Association YLD -- The NBA YLD is holding its 13th Annual Carbolic Smoke Ball on July 24 at the historic Hermitage Hotel. The event, which benefits Davidson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), will be expanded this year to also benefit Hands on Nashville, which has taken the lead in assisting victims of flooding in the region. The event will feature live entertainment, heavy hors d'oeuvres and an open bar. A cocktail reception begins at 7 p.m. with the main event following from 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $65 per person in advance and $75 at the door. The group also is looking for sponsors to underwrite the event and is offering attorneys the opportunity to be named as a host of the event. Sponsorships are due by July 7. Learn more on the bar's web site |
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Vol. 8, No. 12 IN THIS ISSUE FROM THE EDITOR
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