2022 Law Day Recap

Editorial | Bill Ramsey

2022 Law Day Lunch Recap

The Nashville Bar Association’s Law Day 2022 celebration was truly that. A celebration. We packed the banquet hall at the Rennaissance Hotel. Everyone had ditched the “COVID casual” attire and all were dressed in their finest business suits and business attire. At long last, it seemed that everything had returned to normal. The theme of the day “Toward a More Perfect Union—A Constitution in Times of Change,” and the speakers and presenters for the day served as a great reminder of the foundations of our nation. Everyone seemed to understand that was the joyous, yet solemn, occasion. Even our master of ceremonies Judge Frank Clement seemed a bit subdued while still remaining his jovial self. DarKenya Waller, the executive director of the Legal Aid Society, in keeping with the tradition format for the occasion, gave the results of the Legal Aid Society fundraising campaign report. The 2021 Equal Justice Campaign raised a whopping total of $1,133,732, which I believe is a record-setting “personal best.” Thanks to everyone that participated in this effort. The Legal Aid Society continues to fill an important space in our legal system, but it cannot operate without the funds that are raised in this campaign. Next, Jackie Dixon, aided by a small brochure in everyone’s program, urged all of us to consider participating in the Lawyer Referral and Information Service. This service was, at one time a very important aspect of the work of the NBA. In recent years however, for some reason, the participation in the service has declined. We each need to “take up the slack” and participate in this service. It is not only an important source of revenue for the bar association, but it can also be a lucrative source of client referrals for lawyers’ law firms. For more information on the Lawyer Referral Service, contact Traci Hollandsworth. A highlight of each and every Law Day is the presentation of the Young Lawyer’s Division art and essay contest winners. The awards were presented by Quan Poole and Ryan Loofborrow. Margaret Harmon won the Art award for the Kindergarten through 3rd Grade division “A More Perfect Union.” Her art made the point that segregation is wrong and that everyone should get out and vote. Ford Morton was the winner in the 4th-8th grade division. His art depicted an American flag with a gavel and the scales of justice in the front. Sophie Li won the essay award for the 9th-12th grade division with an eloquent essay entitled “Civic Education & the Exclusion in ‘We the People.’” Our president, Martesha Johnson introduced the presenters to the various awards and Allan Hall won the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year; a much deserved award. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings won the pro bono leadership award. That firm always volunteers for most any worthy cause. Certainly, they are always a leader in the area of providing pro bono services. Rob McKinney had the honor (his words) of presenting the Jack Norman Sr. award to Judge Mark Fishburn. Like many of us, Rob knows that Judge Fishburn is one of the Titans of our Bar. Not only is Judge Fishburn an excellent judge who is knowledgeable of aspects of criminal law, but he is also just an all-around great guy. In accepting an award, Judge Fishburn recounted his first involvement in criminal law. Apparently at the first arraignment he had ever handled, then attorney Fishburn tried to plead his client guilty to the charges against him. Luckily, Judge Shriver took pity on the “wet behind the ears” lawyer and entered a plea of not guilty for attorney Fishburn’s client. From that point forward, lawyer Fishburn vowed to become knowledgeable about criminal law, and he certainly did that. Congratulations, Mark! All of the above-described activity was a perfect lead-in to our keynote speaker Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle. Appropriately, Chancellor Lyle’s speech was titled “Toward a More Perfect Union.” With her trademark eloquence and grace, Chancellor Lyle was able to weave together a discussion about our Founding Fathers’ transition from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution of the U.S., which still serves as our present-day Constitution. She described what the Founders meant by using the term “more perfect union,” which would normally be viewed as improper use of the terms “more” and “perfect.” She explained why the Founders chose that term and explained why the Founders created the three branches of our government with the appropriate checks and balances. Another heartwarming moment was Chancellor Lyle’s description of the automobile ride with her engineer father across the state of Tennessee to enroll her in the University of Tennessee College of Law. Using that experience as a backdrop, Chancellor Lyle poignantly described what the practice of law, her service as a Chancellor and the rule of law meant to her. Her speech was one of the most expertly crafted and moving speeches I have had the pleasure to observe at any NBA event, in fact at any event. Those of you who missed her speech, missed something very special. In his closing remarks, Judge Clement was, like most of us, almost rendered speechless in response to Chancellor Lyle’s words. The crowd then ambled out the door, with each of us realizing we had witnessed a very special occasion. n

BILL RAMSEY is a member at Neal & Harwell, where he primarily focuses on complex civil and criminal litigation. He also has a significant entertainment law practice representing artists and entertainers.