Kathryn “Katie” Reed Edge will retire from the practice of law on Dec. 31, leaving Butler Snow’s Nashville office to assume the role of full-time grandmother to her triplet grandchildren in Austin, Texas. Her practice has centered on representing the organizers of new banks and other regulated financial institutions and serving as corporate and regulatory counsel for financial services companies.

DISABILITY INACTIVE

The law license of Shelby County lawyer Deidre Lynn Smith was transferred to disability inactive status on Sept. 6. Smith may not practice law while on inactive status. She may return to the practice of law after reinstatement, which requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and she is fit to resume the practice of law.

For the Record

13th Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Wesley Bray was sworn into office by Gov. Bill Lee in September at the Putnam County Courthouse. He replaces longtime judge David Patterson, who retired this summer. The 13th Judicial District covers Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam and White counties.

Former TBA president and Sevierville attorney Cynthia Richardson Wyrick was sworn in as a U.S. magistrate judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee on Sept. 30. She was appointed to the post by Chief Judge Pamela L. Reeves, who is also a former TBA president, to replace former Magistrate Judge Clifton L. Corker, who was appointed a federal district judge in July. Wyrick will serve in the court’s Northeastern Division in Greeneville. Wyrick, a University of Tennessee College of Law graduate, has been a member of the law firm of Ogle, Wyrick & Associates in Sevierville since 1996. She has also served as the city attorney for Pigeon Forge.

DISABILITY INACTIVE

The law license of Fayette County lawyer Drew Justin Canale Jr. was transferred to disability inactive status on Aug. 21. Canale may not practice law while on inactive status. He may return to the practice of law after reinstatement, which requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume the practice of law.

The Tennessee Supreme Court transferred the law license of Williamson County lawyer Sandra Leah Wells to disability inactive status on Aug. 9. Wells may not practice law while on inactive status. She may return to the practice of law after reinstatement, which requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and she is fit to resume the practice of law.

For the Record

Three Tennessee attorneys were honored at the Equal Justice University Awards Dinner. Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Bivins and Legal Aid of East Tennessee Executive Director Sheri Fox joined with honorees Jeannie Kosciolek, Lucy Boateng and Benjamin Danforth at the program.

Baker Donelson lawyer George T. “Buck” Lewis was recognized with a Presidential Citation by the American Bar Association, which was presented by ABA President Bob Carlson at the 2019 ABA Pro Bono Publico luncheon in San Francisco as part of the ABA’s Annual Meeting in August. Lewis just completed three years of service as chair of the ABA Pro Bono and Public Service Committee and was honored for his work launching the country’s first interactive pro bono website now known as ABAFreeLegalAnswers. The free online legal service has been implemented in 41 states and in Great Britain and Australia. Lewis is a past president of the Tennessee Bar Association and Memphis Bar Foundation, as well as past chair of the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission.

DISABILITY INACTIVE

The law license of Washington County lawyer Tracey Alice Berry was transferred to disability inactive status on July 29. Berry may not practice law while on inactive status. She may return to the practice of law after reinstatement, which requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and she is fit to resume the practice of law.

The law license of Knox County lawyer Charles Gilman Currier was transferred to disability inactive status on July 19. Currier may not practice law while on inactive status. He may return to the practice of law after reinstatement, which requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume the practice of law.

The Tennessee Bar Association honored Franklin attorney Howard Wall during the American Bar Association Annual Conference in San Francisco. Wall is a past chair of the ABA’s Health Law Section and currently serves on the ABA Board of Governors. The reception in his honor drew a large crowd of Tennessee attorneys, friends and supporters to the annual event.

For the Record

TBA Board approves bylaws change to accommodate new benefits

The TBA Board of Governors voted on proposed revisions to the organization’s bylaws after a 21-day period for members to review the proposal. The vote took place in late August. One of the revisions creates a category of nonvoting, law firm, employer-level membership. Any law firm in which 100 percent of its Tennessee-based attorneys are members of the TBA will be eligible to become a law firm member of the association under rules established by the Board of Governors.
The bylaws change will accommodate future benefits including a new health insurance plan that the TBA would like to offer its members this fall. The future health plan will offer coverage to a variety of employer members including solo practitioners with at least one qualifying W-2 employee.