Members of the Tennessee legal community met for the second day of the TBA Annual Convention in Franklin today. The morning began with a Public Service Awards Breakfast featuring presentation of the Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award to a group of private attorneys representing families from Nashville’s Covenant School, the Ashley T. Wiltshire Public Service Attorney of the Year to the executive directors of the state's three Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funded organizations, the Law Student of the Year Award to recent Belmont University College of Law graduate David "Lee" Myers, and the 2025 CASA Volunteer of the Year to Amy Dorman with CASA Works Inc. in Tullahoma. At the annual Bench Bar Luncheon, Nashville lawyer Margaret Behm received the Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award, while Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft received the Justice Frank F. Drowota III Award. Following the awards, Nashville lawyer Ed Yarbrough, of counsel with Spencer Fane, gave the keynote address, highlighting the work of a dozen lawyers who went on to make great contributions to the profession by staying true to their convictions. He told attendees, "Integrity is the most important thing — the only thing that lets you make history." The afternoon continued with CLE programs on artificial intelligence and the most recent legislative session. The evening will wrap up with a reception.

Legal Aid directors receive awards during the Public Service Breakfast.

Russell Fowler presents on Famous Tennessee Trials during the Bench Bar CLE session.

Margaret Behm accepts the 2025 Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award from former TBA President Charles Swanson.

Judge Chris Craft accepts the Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award.

TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. and fellow Baker Donelson attorneys Bruce Doeg and Clint Sanko presented the "AI in the Life of a Lawyer" CLE. President-elect Heidi Barcus (left) served as moderator.