Celebrating our bar association's diverse membership and highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of KBA members.

Knox News has revealed the 40 Under 40 Class of 2023, and the KBA is happy to recognize KBA members Michael Crowder, Sean McDermott, and Hon. Zachary Walden. 

According to Knox News, 40 Under 40 recognizes top young professionals living and working across East Tennessee. These people make a difference through their professional accomplishments and service to their community. They lead, innovate, and achieve. They have brilliant ideas and are determined to succeed.

Congratulations to Michael, Sean, and Zack!

Congratulations to KBA member Jodi Loden! The ABA Center for Bar Leadership picked Jodi's name from a random drawing of the 296 members who submitted responses to the KBA's Economics and Law Office Management Survey before the deadline yesterday. The survey ended with a response rate of close to 20%.

 

Congratulations to KBA member Vanessa Samano! The ABA Center for Bar Leadership picked Vanessa's name from a random drawing of the 151 members who had submitted their responses to the KBA's Economics and Law Office Management Survey. Vanessa is the winner in the first drawing for the $250 Amazon Gift Card. Make sure to complete your survey by September 11 to have a chance to win the final $250 Amazon Gift Card.   

 if you did not receive a link to the survey, please email membership@knoxbar.org for your customized link. A sufficient number of members must participate in order for the results to reflect the demographics and economics of the Knoxville legal community. 

 

Learn about Judge Davis's path to the Court of Appeals in the July 14 edition of the Tennessee Ledger. 

 “You have to apply the law as it’s written. You can’t go making things up. … It’s being true to the existing case law that’s out there, not trying to put your own stamp on something, not trying to create the law as you think it should be.”

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) Vice President and Dean Matt Lyon has announced the promotion of Jordan Houser to director of career services and alumni relations. Houser will lead LMU Law’s Office of Career Services to counsel current law students and alumni regarding all aspects of career development, from aiding first-year law students with resume drafting to advising alumni on lateral moves years after graduation. Learn more.
 

Congratulations to Heidi Barcus, who will take office as vice president of the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) this week during the group’s annual convention in Knoxville. Barcus will advance to the presidency in 2025. Barcus has been active in the Tennessee Bar Association and other legal and community organizations for many years, serving most recently as the 2nd District representative on the TBA’s Board of Governors and as a member of the TBA’s Law Office and Technology/ Management Section and its Tort and Insurance Law Section. Barcus served as President of the Knoxville Bar Association in 2013 and is currently the Chair of the Knoxville Bar Foundation’s Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Archives Committee. In addition, she is past chair of the American Bar Association Law Practice Division, a member of the Hamilton Burnett American Inns of Court, and a fellow in the Knoxville, Tennessee and American bar foundations. She currently serves on the American Bar Association’s TECHSHOW Board.

Barcus is a 1993 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, where she has previously taught legal writing, pre-trial litigation, and trial practice and was an active member of its Legal Clinic Advisory Board. She has also received the Spirit of Justice Award and the Susan B. Anthony Award.

The National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP) announced today that KBA President-Elect Carlos Yunsan was selected for the 2023-2024 Diversity Scholar program. The NCBP established the Diversity Scholar program to expose diverse bar leaders to a wide range of bar leaders who can candidly share their successes and challenges in their leadership roles and be available for open dialogue on all issues. Through this process, Diversity Scholars will develop their own leadership style and learn how to implement that style, as well as create national networking opportunities with other bar leaders. Learn more.

Kids Cove Drop-in Child Care to Open June 17

KBA member Eboni James and her husband Frank are pleased to announce the opening of Kids Cove, a drop-in child care center that provides a convenient, safe, and fun environment for children to play and learn. Their mission is to provide flexible and reliable childcare services for families who need occasional or emergency care. Kids Cove serves children ages six weeks to 12 years old, and their experienced staff is trained in CPR and first aid, and has undergone thorough background checks. The center is equipped with age-appropriate toys, games, and activities to keep children engaged and entertained. Parents can drop off their children at Kids Cove for a few hours, a full day, or even just a few minutes, making it a convenient option for busy families. The center also offers extended weekend and evening hours to accommodate parents' schedules.

An open house will be held on June 15th 2023 between 6:30 - 830 pm for a delightful sneak peek of Kids Cove Drop-In Child Care, located at 10420 Kingston Pike Suite I, Knoxville TN 37922!

KBA members receive a 10% discount by using KBA10. 
Learn more at Kids Cove.
 

Life is a journey. We all learn from our experiences and the people who cross our paths. The Knoxville Bar lost a legal legend with the passing of Bernie Bernstein on May 19. His obituary aptly illustrates a life well lived. The eulogies from family and colleagues at the funeral shared warm remembrances of a deeply devoted family man with a strong faith who gave much of himself to the Knoxville community. Universally respected, his remarkable legal career spanned more than five decades and he was recognized with countless honors for his professional accomplishments. Bernie was a leader, mentor and role model. He could be your best friend and your toughest adversary and do both with a smile. Bernie gave so much to the legal community, and our local bar will always be grateful for his long-lasting legacy. 

Learn more about Bernie’s legal career:

In 2003, the Tennessee Bar Foundation produced an interview of Bernie by Don Paine for the Legal History Project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=CDxnq4hZtwc 

In the February 1, 2019, edition of The Ledger, Nancy Henderson writes about Bernie’s 55 years of defending the defenseless, promoting social justice.

The KBA Archives Committee is pleased to share the interview of Anne McKinney as the latest addition to the collection of KBA Legal History Videos. Celeste Herbert interviews Anne in this heartwarming, inspirational, and extremely personal video. During the interview, Anne announces her plans to retire at the end of the year along with secrets to her success. Anne shares what led her to the law and how she became to be known as "the hat lady" in the local legal community. The video is available on YouTube and is available from a link on the Legal History Videos page on the KBA website.

Anne McKinney is an accomplished lawyer, author, national speaker, and singer. She's famous for her hats, but she's also known for her song parodies and during her time as a tax lawyer with the IRS, she had a part-time job in a rock and roll band. Anne has over 40 years of legal and tax experience. She received her undergraduate degree from Duke University, magna cum laude, and earned her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law. She is a member of the Knoxville, Tennessee, and North Carolina bar associations, the Knoxville Estate Planning Council, and the Duke Estate Planning Council. She also actively serves on the boards of several private and public charitable foundations.

Anne is a sought-after speaker and seminar leader. With her unique blend of practical experience, intelligence, music, and humor, she educates, motivates, encourages, and entertains audiences nationwide.