FROM THE PRESIDENT
Gratitude | Laura Baker LAURA BAKER, Publisher WILLIAM T. RAMSEY, Editor-in-Chief CAROLINE E. SAPP, Managing Editor LAUREN POOLE, Managing Editor JILL PRESLEY, Layout/Design/Production
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE RAMONA DESALVO TIM ISHII KELLY FREY SUMMER MELTON ROB MARTIN BRUCE PHILLIPS BART PICKETT KRISTIN THOMAS JONATHAN WARDLE CRAIG WEBB ELEANOR WETZEL NASHVILLE BAR JOURNAL (ISSN1548-7113) (USPS 021-962) is published bi-monthly by the Nashville Bar Association, 150 4th Ave N, Ste 1350, Nashville, TN 37219. Periodicals Postage Paid at Nashville TN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Nashville Bar Journal, 150 4th Ave N, Ste 1350, Nashville, TN 37219-2419. No part of this publication may be reprinted without written permission of the Nashville Bar Journal Editorial Committee. All articles, letters, and editorials contained in this publication represent the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Nashville Bar Association. For more information, visit NashvilleBar.org/NashvilleBarJournal. The Nashville Bar Journal welcomes discourse. You may submit counterpoint editorials to Jill.Presley@ nashvillebar.org to be considered by the editorial committee for publication in a future print or online content. NASHVILLE BAR ASSOCIATION 150 4th Ave N, Ste 1350 Nashville, TN 37219 615-242-9272 | NashvilleBar.org The Nashville Bar Association, established in 1831, is a professional organization serving the legal community of Nashville, Tennessee. Our mission is to improve the practice of law through education, service, and fellowship. The NBA—with 2,500+ members—is the largest metropolitan bar association in Tennessee.
2
As 2020 comes to an end, I am grateful for the unquestionable strength and character of our NBA community. Together, we have faced a tornado disaster and a global pandemic. We have seen widespread social unrest and protests for racial justice. In this tumultuous and challenging year, many NBA members have reached out to express support and encouragement. Most have voiced some form of the phrase, “I know this isn’t what you expected for your time as president.” This year has not been what I expected, or what anyone expected for that matter. But, in a year filled with the unexpected, I have never been more grateful to be part of this group of lawyers, judges, law students, and legal professionals who have banded together to serve one another and the public. When a tornado hit Nashville in March, the NBA joined the legal aid community and other bar associations to respond to the legal needs of survivors. We communicated pro bono opportunities to our members, recruited volunteer lawyers, and organized free training to educate volunteers on the unique legal needs of survivors. In close succession, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic. The NBA made it our priority to build communication channels to keep our members informed of changing court procedures through Courthouse News emails and a series of virtual Town Hall meetings with our local judges and elected officials. The economic challenges of the pandemic led our members to again provide critical pro bono legal services, including participating in pro bono legal clinics for the Legal Aid Society, and organizing a series of Small Business Legal Clinics with the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services for businesses facing economic disaster. Once again, the NBA provided free training to lawyer volunteers. Due to social distancing guidelines, the NBA transitioned our planned celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and our Law Day program to a combined virtual event. With the support of more than 100 Suffragists and more than 200 registrants, our first entirely virtual multi-part program was a resounding success. The NBA Board spoke out against acts of violence perpetuated against people of color and racial injustice and committed to accelerate action towards lasting change. Putting our words into action, I formed a new board committee on race and equity to confront racism and discrimination and work towards greater equity and inclusion in the legal profession. On the recommendation of the Race and Equity Committee, the board approved the filing of a Petition to Modify Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 21 to require bias elimination training on an annual basis, a measure aimed at increasing awareness of racial disparities and discrimination and encouraging broader participation in the fight against racial inequality in our profession. The NBA Board is also participating in a 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge to grow our understanding of the intersections of race, power, privilege, and oppression. This year, it would be understandable to be overcome with a sense of helplessness. This is when the value and strength of the NBA is most critical to our members and our community. I am grateful for the opportunity to have led the NBA through this turbulent year, and even more grateful for our members’ engagement and commitment to continuing our common goal of improving the practice of law through education, service, and fellowship. n
NASHVILLE BAR JOURNAL | OCT/NOV 2020
