Lucian Pera, Bernice Donald, Max Bahner, Bill Penny

Memphis lawyer Lucian Pera was installed as treasurer of the American Bar Association (ABA) at the close of the 400,000-member organization’s annual meeting in Toronto in mid-August. Pera, who has been treasurer-elect since last August, will serve a three-year term overseeing the association’s $200 million budget. As treasurer, Pera also serves as a member of the ABA’s Board of Governors and its Executive Committee. He is a partner with Adams and Reese LLP.

TBA Today staff members were recognized in June by the Tennessee Bar Association House of Delegates, which presented a resolution honoring the work done on the daily electronic newsletter. The resolution, presented by Speaker Claudia Jack during the TBA Annual Convention in Chattanooga, recognized TBA staffers Barry Kolar, Suzanne Robertson, Stacey Shrader and others, including Tanja Trezise, for their work in producing an “invaluable resource” for Tennessee lawyers.

Service Award Given to Yarbrough

Nashville attorney Ed Yarbrough accepted the TBA Criminal Justice Section Service Award from 2010-2011 section chair and Davidson County District Attorney Torry Johnson during a reception June 29 at the Tennessee Bar Center. The award pays tribute to Yarbrough’s distinguished career, which spans almost four decades and includes service as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, as assistant district attorney general for Davidson County and as an attorney in private practice. See more photos from the event on TBAConnect.

2011 Law Day contest winners announced

The Tennessee Bar Associaiton today announced the winners of the 2011 Tennessee Law Day Art and Essay Competitions. The theme of this year's contest was "The Legacy of John Adams: From Boston to Guantanamo." It was designed to educate students about Adams' role in defending British soldiers arrested in what would come to be known as the Boston Massacre.

Lawyers’ roles in defending the rights of the accused

The Tennessee Bar Association awarded the winners of the 2011 Tennessee Law Day Art and Essay Competitions. The theme of this year’s contest was “The Legacy of John Adams: From Boston to Guantanamo.” It was designed to educate students about Adams’ role in defending British soldiers arrested in what would come to be known as the Boston Massacre. Students were asked to explore the historical and contemporary role of lawyers in defending the rights of the accused — even those that are unpopular — and depict those concepts in their work.

Lawyers mobilize to help storm victims

Lawyers jump in to give free legal advice

Tennessee lawyers began mobilizing immediately after April’s storms, tornadoes and flooding in the state, ready to provide free legal assistance to victims. Using the newly unveiled web site, onlinetnjustice.org, lawyers were able to volunteer electronically, as well as by calling a hotline.

Resources for members of the public, lawyers who want to help victims, and lawyers whose offices were affected are available at https://www.tba2.org/volunteer/

YLD elects new vice president, officers

Deadline is June 1

Seats on Court of Judiciary Open for Nomination

The Tennessee Bar Association Board of Governors will select three members for the Tennessee Court of Judiciary at its June 18 meeting.

Wyrick to lead TBA in 2013-2014

Sevierville attorney Cynthia Richardson Wyrick will be Tennessee Bar Association president in 2013-2014, according to election-qualifying results released Feb. 16. No other candidate filed for the vice president position by the Feb. 15 deadline. After serving a year as vice president, Wyrick will ascend to president-elect in 2012-2013 before taking over the organization's leadership in June 2013.

Others who will be elected without opposition are: