Memphis attorney Ronald Maury Harkavy died Dec. 6 at age 90. Other than attending Vanderbilt University for his undergraduate and law school degrees, Harkavy spent his entire life and career in Memphis. He was involved in various professional and community organizations, including serving on the board of directors of the Memphis Bar Association and a hearing committee for the state disciplinary board. He also served in leadership roles with a variety of community organizations including Anshei Sphard Beth El Emeth Synagogue, the Memphis Jewish Community Center, the Memphis Jewish Federation and the Jewish Foundation of Memphis, which he founded. In his law practice, Harkavy focused on business and financing transactions, real estate, land use planning and zoning matters. A funeral was held Dec. 8 at Anshei Sphard. Donations may be made to the Memphis Jewish Federation or a charity of the donor's choice.

Attorney Timothy Williams Flohr died recently at the age of 46. Flohr earned his law degree from the University of Memphis School of Law and practiced in Greeneville for several years before moving out of state. He was also a member of the Tennessee Bar Association. A memorial service is planned for Flohr on March 8, 2025, at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 201 N Main St., Greeneville 37745. Memorial donations may be made to the Greene County Food Bank, c/o Greeneville Community Ministries, 107 N. Cutler St., Greeneville, TN 37743.

Charles Rogers Martin of Kingsport died last week at the age of 84. Martin received his law degree from University of Oklahoma with a focus in intellectual property law and worked as a patent attorney for Eastman Chemical Company for 30 years. Martin served as president of Kingsport Bar Association and was also a member of the Oklahoma, Tennessee and Kingsport Bar associations. A memorial service celebrating his life will take place Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. EST at Carter Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga St., Kingsport 37660.

Atlanta lawyer Ollie M. Harton died May 5. A Tennessee-licensed attorney and TBA member, Harton earned his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and a master of laws from Emory University School of Law. He started his career as a judicial law clerk in the Tennessee Court of Appeals and served as a trial lawyer in the Tennessee Attorney General's Office. Harton joined Hawkins Parnell & Young in Atlanta 1988 and served there as a long-time shareholder. At the firm, Harton was key in expanding the footprint beyond Georgia and turning the Toxic Tort Litigation Group into a national presence. He personally tried over 90 toxic tort cases nationwide and was a giant in the defense of asbestos litigation. The firm has more on his career.

Tennessee attorney Lundy Boyd Carpenter of Piperton died Nov. 17 at the age of 53. A Memphis native, she obtained her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1997 and began her law career by serving as a judicial law clerk for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. After taking a break from law to raise her son, Carpenter returned to the legal field by serving as an adoption attorney for Weaver & Craig P.C. Services for Carpenter were held Sunday. Gifts in her memory can be made to Rossville Church, to Voice of the Martyrs or to Samaritan’s Purse.

Michelle Mitchell Benjamin, attorney and community advocate, died Nov. 11 at age 75. Benjamin earned her law degree at North Carolina Central University and her legal career began as a staff attorney with the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Tullahoma. Benjamin later established a private practice in Winchester. Benjamin was a board member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, a role she held for many years, and also served as a trustee for Lawyers Involved for Tennessee, on the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility for two terms, and on the Judicial Selection Commission for 15 years. Her funeral service will be held Nov. 23 starting at 10 a.m. CST at All Saints’ Chapel, 735 University Ave., Sewanee 37383 with interment following at University Cemetery.

Former U.S. Solicitor General and longtime Gibson Dunn partner Ted Olson died yesterday at the age of 84. Olson served under two Republican presidents, arguing 65 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was an assistant attorney general during President Ronald Reagan’s first term and solicitor general for President George W. Bush. He was named to the post after being central to Bush’s win in the 2000 Florida presidential election recount dispute. In private practice, Olson prevailed in several key court decisions, including challenging limits on political giving, challenging the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and challenging a California state ban on same-sex marriage. Speaking of that case, Olson later said it was the most important thing he had done “as an attorney or a person.” The Associated Press has more on his life and career.

Nashville lawyer John Edward Anderson Sr. died Oct. 29 at age 63. He graduated from the University of Tennessee and received his law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law. Anderson later served as a member of the University of Tennessee (UT) Board of Governors and the Davidson County UT Alumni Association Board of Directors. Anderson practiced law with the Nashville firm of Dickinson Wright. Visitation will be held at St. Henry Catholic Church, 6401 Harding Pk., Nashville 37205, on Nov. 15 from 9-11 a.m. CST, followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of the donor's choice.

Tennessee attorney Carol Anne Mutter died Nov. 3 at the age of 78. Mutter, who grew up in Jonesborough, earned her law degree at the Georgetown University Law Center. She practiced law privately and served as a professor at the University of Tennessee Law School for 30 years, specializing in civil procedure, torts, insurance and health law. Later in life, Mutter transitioned to local government, serving as mayor of Lookout Mountain, for six years. Read more about Mutter’s life in a tribute. Donations in her honor may be made to the Children's Nutrition Program of Haiti, P.O. Box 3720, Chattanooga, TN 37404 or Volunteers in Medicine, Chattanooga, 5705 Marlin Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37411.

Vicki Shoulders, a longtime employee of the Nashville Bar Association (NBA), died Oct. 31. Shoulders, who worked at the NBA for 24 years, was known for her welcoming demeanor and dedication to the organization. TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. had the privilege of working with Shoulders during his time as president of the NBA. "To many, she was the face of the Nashville Bar Association in her customer services role. She cared deeply for the organization and the membership and she will be missed by all," he said. Service information is pending.