Tag: Nashville bar association

Please Vote For Me in the Nashville Bar Association Board of Directors Election: Here’s Why:

I’m hoping you don’t have election fatigue, because I need your vote in November…

I’ve been nominated to serve on the Board of Directors of the Nashville Bar Association. Tomorrow morning, you’ll be receiving your ballot via email, and you’ll be asked to vote for 6 out of the 14 candidates.

Here’s why you should vote for me:

I care about the Nashville Bar Association. I’ve been a member my entire legal career, and this is a natural extension of my service to the NBA. I’ve written Nashville Bar Journal cover stories. I’ve volunteered at their community events and legal clinics. I’ve taught continuing legal education courses. I host the NBA’s annual karaoke happy hour event (which required me to purchase a professional grade karaoke system, so “Win-Win” for everybody).

I can help the Nashville Bar Association make our legal community better. The reason I donate so much of my time to the NBA is that I care about making Nashville a better place to practice law. Plus, after 21 years of practice, I’ve got pretty strong opinions and a unique perspective, drawn from a robust practice in so many different courts.

I mean, seriously, do any the other nominees recognize the historic significance of this staircase?

There are all kinds of reasons why somebody would want to be on the Board, but I’m doing this to advocate for lawyers. Let’s push for common sense decisions on staircases. Let’s push for comprehensive measures in response to COVID. Let’s push for advances in technology and e-filing. Let’s talk about diversity in the bar and also the bench.

It’s not incorrect to say that the Lawyers’ Association for Women has made me their “highest endorsed candidate.”

I stand up for what I care about. When I left Bone McAllester, one of the IT staff members told me, “David, you are one of the realest people I’ve ever met.” It was the best compliment I’ve received in years. Don’t we all want to be seen as authentic and honest about the way we act and communicate?

If you read this blog, you know I’m not afraid to say what I think, and that’s how I’d approach this board service. To make real change, you have to identify clear goals and use your voice to take a stand. For me, this isn’t about resume-padding or networking, it’s about finding ways to make our legal community an easier and better place to practice.

A few months ago, I started my own boutique law firm (more on that–a lot more–in a later post). With COVID and all the changes in my own practice, I had considered declining the nomination. Was this this best time to take on this task?

In the end, though, I decided that this is a perfect time. With all the uncertainty from COVID, rapid technological advances, and fundamental changes in the way we work, what an awesome time to be part of the local bar’s leadership. Plus, as one of the only nominees at a small/solo firm, who else would speak for me on the Board?

Vote for me.

Also, tell your friends.

2018 Nashville Lawyer Memorial Service This Week

A few weeks ago, I was walking to my office after court, and another lawyer struck up a conversation with me while we walked. I’ve known this lawyer since I was a brand new lawyer, and, after talking for a little bit outside his building about the “old-timers,” he invited me to serve on the Nashville Bar Association’s Historical Committee and, specifically, the Memorial Service Committee.

Honestly, I didn’t think much about the invite at first, but, a few days later, I discovered the NBA’s photo archive from the 1970’s. It was so fun to see these lawyers and judges who I’ve known, back when they were young (or younger) lawyers.

Maybe seeing that gave me some perspective, that there’s a rich tradition and history here in Nashville, and how lucky we are to have these photo archives to tell these stories.

And, on a more morbid note, it reminded me that, someday, some new 2030 law graduate will be surfing whatever version of the internet exists and laugh about seeing David Anthony back when he had brown hair.

So, I called the Bar Association and told them, yes, I want on all these committees. We need to preserve these stories and this history, and the memories (and advice) of those who blazed trails for the rest of us.

Last note, the 2018 Fall Memorial Service takes place this Thursday, November 15, at 11:00am. Full details can be found here.