MEMPHIS LAWYER

the magazine of the Memphis Bar Association

Memphis Bar Association Publications Committee

Nicole M. Grida, Chair

Audrey Calkins

Maureen Holland

Marlinee Iverson

Steve Leffler

Halle Priester

The Memphis Lawyer is a quarterly publication of the Memphis Bar Association, Inc. with a circulation of 2,000. If you are interested in submitting an article for publication or advertising in an upcoming issue, contact info@memphisbar.org. The MBA reserves the right to reject any advertisement or article submitted for publication.

Mba Staff

The Memphis Bar Association 145 Court Ave. Suite 301 Memphis, TN 38103 Phone: (901) 527-3573 www.memphisbar.org

By JENNIFER SINK, MBA 2023 President

Bzzzzz? Do you hear that? It is the sound of excitement still ringing from our annual meeting in December 2022 at the Botanic Gardens!

The Annual Meeting was a wonderful event. I can still hear the sounds of people who left the meeting feeling energized and inspired for 2023! This was our first Annual Meeting held in the evening since 2019; and it felt so good to see so many people gathered, connecting and catching up.

For those who were unable to join us, we touched on so many different ways the MBA is given meaning and import. We honored civility, professionalism, mentoring, commitment, leadership, and skill. We welcomed new Board members with open arms. There were laughs, there were tears. There were reflections on what it means to be a lawyer and a member of the Memphis Bar Association.

Past President Tannera Gibson showed tremendous leadership in 2022, as we were navigating the challenges presented by Covid and changes in our work environment, along with serious issues that impacted our members personally and professionally, such as racial injustices, and legal and political attacks on our constitutional rights.

While these challenges remain, there is much to be encouraged over. And we are prepared to continue to face these challenges head on.

It starts with YOU! If you missed out on the events the MBA held in 2022, from our amazing Bench Bar Conference to ground-breaking CLEs, you might need to tap into your inner FOMO for 2023. We have lots of great events planned. Here is a sneak peek:

• CLE with the Grizzlies

• Anniversary of the release of the epic film, “The Firm”

• Black History Month CLE

• Bench Bar 2023 returns to The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa

• Second Saturday Free Legal Aid Clinic (2SLAC) is back in person!

• John Dice Wellness Seminar makes its return to Lichterman Nature Center!

• Leadership Scholars Program provides a great chance to mentor law students, the future lawyers of our profession.

• Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) gives diverse high school students the opportunity to experience the daily legal workplace

I believe people are ready to see and be seen again. If you are someone who took a break from the MBA, please rejoin us! We need you more than ever to serve, to share, to give, and to learn.

We are going to have a great year at the MBA. Thank you all for the honor and opportunity to serve as your Bar President. 