The TBA strongly supports freedom of expression under the First Amendment, as exercised by lawyers on behalf of their clients and by journalists on behalf of the public, and particularly wants to recognize and encourage journalists who promote public understanding of the rule of law and our system of justice through vigorous exercise of their First Amendment rights. It's Fourth Estate Award honors courageous reporting on justice and the law. Tennessee-based journalists who have shown exemplary courage in exercising First Amendment rights in the promotion of public understanding of the Rule of Law and how our legal system works or should work will be considered. Winners receive a $250 honorarium.

Previous Award Recipients

Selection Process
Winners are selected by an ad hoc committee of the TBA Communications Section. The committee is currently chaired by Nashville lawyer Jay Harbison.

Award Criteria
Nominees must be Tennessee-based journalists who have shown exemplary courage in exercising First Amendment rights in the promotion of public understanding of how the law and our legal system work, or how they should work, as demonstrated by a story or series of related stories published in the previous year. Nominees may be individuals or teams of journalists who worked on the published stories. Journalists may self-nominate. Nominees may have published their story or stories online, via digital media, in a newspaper or magazine, in a book, on a podcast, on social media or on television or radio.

Award Presentation
The award consists of a plaque presented during the TBA Annual Meeting and Lawyers Luncheon, held in conjunction with the TBA Convention each June.

Nominations
Nominations for the 2026 award are now closed.

• Nominations Open: NA
• Nominations Close: NA

Additional Information
Please direct any questions to TBA Education and Professional Development Coordinator Brooke Leeton.