TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jun 18, 2026

Before handing the gavel off to new TBA President Charlotte Knight Griffin, outgoing President Heidi Barcus presented awards to several lawyers for outstanding service during her year in leadership. Barcus honored the members of the TBA Legal Access and Regulatory Reform Task Force, which solicited and reviewed lawyers' feedback on possible regulatory changes to the practice of law in Tennessee and helped create the TBA's official comment filed with the Tennessee Supreme Court in April. They are: Chair Sarah Sheppeard and members Brandon Bass, Lisa Cole, Dixie Cooper, Michael Galligan, Ed Lanquist Jr., Mary Beth Maddox, Jimmie Miller, Randy Noel, Scott Sims, Charles Swanson, Danny Van Horn, Howard Vogel and John Wilks. Barcus also presented awards to Geoffrey Lewis and John Wilks for their service as co-chairs of the TBA Leadership Law Program. Barcus praised the fresh enthusiasm the two brought to the 23-year old program this year. Finally, she presented an award to Knoxville lawyer and former TBA President Howard Vogel for his wise counsel.