Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Class of 1981, Nashville attorney Steve Cobb, Class of 1977, and Tennessee Bar Association President-elect Danny Van Horn, Class of 1997, were among several Vanderbilt Law alumni recognized for leadership and service to the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) during the association’s annual convention in Nashville in June 2010.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean received the TBA’s William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award for his extraordinary service to the people of Nashville and Middle Tennessee in the wake of devastating flooding last month. In addition to the timely and organized provision of basic services to flood victims, the award recognized Dean’s commitment to the provision of pro bono legal services to those affected by the flooding. The Leech award is given annually by the TBA Young Lawyers Division Fellows and is named for former Attorney General William M. Leech.
Nashville attorney Steve Cobb received the TBA President’s Award for his work furthering the association’s legislative initiatives as its legislative counsel. Cobb is a solo practitioner in Nashville.
Memphis attorney Danny Van Horn took office as president-elect of the TBA on June 3. The move puts Van Horn in line to assume the presidency in June 2011 as the youngest member of the TBA to hold that office. Van Horn practices in the area of commercial litigation with Butler Snow O’Mara Stevens & Cannada, where he focuses on business torts, unfair competition, insurance disputes and product liability cases.
In addition, four Vanderbilt Law alumni completed the Tennessee Bar Association’s Leadership Law Program, which is designed to equip lawyers with the vision, knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders in their profession and communities. Over the course of nine months, class members learn about state government, legislative procedure, Tennessee’s judicial system and how to work with the media. This year’s class included:
- John Heacock, Class of 1994, a solo practitioner in Nashville who focuses on civil litigation, appellate practice and domestic relations law.
- Alonda McCutcheon, Class of 1992, a labor and employment lawyer with Bass Berry & Sims in Nashville.
- Junaid Odubeko, Class of 2004, who serves as deputy legal counsel to Governor Phil Bredesen in Nashville.
- Sharon Reavis, Class of 2002, an attorney with EMI Christian Music Group, Inc., in Brentwood.
The Tennessee Bar Association is the largest professional association in Tennessee with more than 10,000 members. Founded in 1881, the TBA provides opportunities for continuing legal education, professional development and public service.