YLD Hosts National Gathering of Young Lawyers

TBA Executive Director Allan F. Ramsaur (left) moderates a panel discussion on recent funding cuts and attacks on the judicary with Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch, Vanderbilt Law School Professor Brian T. Fitzpatrick and Tennessee Supreme Court Justice William C. Koch (far right).

YLD Diversity Committee Chair Ahsaki Baptist spoke to attendees about the Diversity Leadership Institute -- a six month leadership program for Tennessee law students

Volunteer lawyers from across the country volunteered their time at a pro bono legal clinic for veterans at Operation Stand Down. The clinic, held in Nashville, is part of the ABA YLD's Project Salute program.

A volunteer lawyer (front facing) works with a veteran who needs help with a benefits issue. 

A volunteer lawyer (right) works with a veteran who needed help getting benefits from the VA. About 20 veterans were served at the free legal advice clinic.

TBA YLD Board Member Troy Weston (right) helps a veteran dealing with benefits issues.

The ABA YLD Spring Meeting continued this past weekend with a legal clinic for veterans, a presentation by the TBA YLD, and an award ceremony honoring two Tennessee lawyers. On Friday afternoon, Nashville lawyer Matt Potempa and Knoxville lawyer Troy Weston organized a pro bono legal clinic for veterans as part of the ABA YLD’s public service initiative for the year known as Project Salute, which helps veterans obtain benefits they are due. Lawyers from across the country who were in Nashville for the meeting helped serve 20 veterans at the event.

Later, Memphis lawyer and YLD Diversity Committee Chair Ahsaki Baptist spoke to attendees about the group’s Diversity Leadership Institute – a six-month leadership and mentoring program for diverse law students – which was named one of four finalists for the ABA’s Next Steps Challenge Grant. TBA YLD President Mason Wilson was on hand to accept the award for that recognition.

In addition, at a banquet Friday night, Potempa and Memphis lawyer Stacie Winkler were named “Stars of the Quarter” for their work planning the Nashville meeting.

The conference wrapped up Saturday with a panel discussion featuring Tennessee Supreme Court Justice William C. Koch, Vanderbilt Law School Professor Brian T. Fitzpatrick and Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch speaking about their perspective on recent funding cuts and attacks on the judicary. TBA Executive Director Allan F. Ramsaur moderated the discussion.