From the President

MIKE ABELOW, Publisher WILLIAM T. RAMSEY, Editor-in-Chief CAROLINE SAPP, Managing Editor LAUREN POOLE, Managing Editor JILL PRESLEY, Layout/Design/Production

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

RAMONA DESALVO TIM ISHII KELLY FREY SUMMER MELTON ROB MARTIN BART PICKETT KATLIN RYAN KRISTIN THOMAS JONATHAN WARDLE

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FROM THE PRESIDENT Outdoor Events Return | Mike Abelow

With President Biden’s recent announcement that the US will produce enough COVID vaccine for every adult by the end of May, the NBA is busy planning in-person events where our members can gather safely. I wanted to bring you up-to-date on those plans.

We will continue to focus on outdoor events. So, for example, rather than just one golf tournament this year, we are putting on two. The first will take place on Thursday, May 13, at 1:00pm at Hermitage Golf Course. I participated last year, even though I am not a golfer, and had a great experience. You can sign up at NashvilleBar.org/Golf or via the NBA Weekly Update.

Although I am not much of a golfer, I do play tennis regularly, and I am excited to announce that we are bringing tennis back to the NBA for the first time in 23 years. The “Grand Slam” Tennis Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 1, at Seven Hills Swim and Tennis Club in Forest Hills. It will be an informal, round-robin social event, and no high level of skill is required. Visit NashvilleBar.org/Tennis to learn more.

Assuming that the tennis tournament is successful, we plan to continue bringing those with interests in the NBA and racket sports together by hosting a pickleball tournament. Pickleball does not require any experience with racket sports (or great athletic skill) to learn or play, and it is an absolute blast. Additionally, our Family Zoo Day is planned for Saturday, June 12.

Beyond this series of outdoor events, we are also anticipating the return of in-person indoor gatherings in the fall and winter. We are moving our celebration of Law Day—which is officially held in April—to October 12, in hopes that we can have an in-person, indoor event at that time. While lawyers and the NBA have adapted to meeting by Zoom, there really is no substitute for in-person events if we are able to hold them safely. So, we have adjusted our calendar accordingly to give us the best chance for success.

Practicing law is a tough job. One of the things that makes it easier is getting to know our fellow NBA members in more relaxed settings rather than the courtroom or the boardroom. When I came to Nashville to practice from Washington, DC, I was struck by how many members knew each other and genuinely liked each other. These types of events help us to “disagree without being disagreeable,” as I have heard many of our judges here say. It is perhaps sadly true that the days are long gone where cases would settle over lunch or a drink—or as I have also heard, some judges would ask before setting a case for trial if the lawyers had met for whiskey yet. We still have a good portion of that dynamic here as we practice law in middle Tennessee, and the Nashville Bar Association is critical to preserving that dynamic.

So many great ideas come from our members. If you have ideas for creative and fun ways on how we can gather safely in person, please contact me or any other board member—we would love to hear from you. I look forward to seeing you, in real life, soon. n