Source: Nashville Bar Association
With over 355 people in attendance, the Nashville Bar Association hosted their annual Law Day Luncheon on Friday, May 5, 2017—this year centering around the theme The 14th Amendment: Transforming an American Democracy. Court of Appeals Judge Frank Clement served as Master of Ceremonies for the event, introducing Judge Shelia Calloway—the event’s keynote speaker—who gave an excellent speech on the importance of equal quality education in our nation’s schools and what we, as a country, can do to make it happen. In a moving tribute, United States District Court’s Judge Aleta Trauger presented the Liberty Bell Award—given to a person or group who have promoted better understanding of the rule of law, encouraged greater respect for law and the courts, stimulated a sense of civic responsibility, or contributed to good government—to the recently retired United State District Court’s Judge Todd Campbell.
The Jack Norman Sr. Award was presented to Metro Public Defender Dawn Deaner, the first woman to receive this prestigious award. The Jack Norman Sr. Award is given to an attorney whose primary practice or service pertains to criminal law, demonstrates respect for the rights of all individuals in the criminal justice system, exhibits the trial advocacy skills or judicial skills necessary to the pursuit of justice, demonstrates an abiding respect for the law and legal profession, maintains highest standards of professional integrity and ethical conduct, and contributes to the improvement of the legal profession and criminal justice system.
The Law Day celebration helps us all to take a deep breath from our often-partisan political debates and appreciate the power of the rule of law. The underpinning of the rule of law is the notion of equal protection under the law found in the Fourteenth Amendment. Our keynote speaker, Judge Shelia Calloway, Jack Norman Sr. Award winner, Dawn Deaner, and Liberty Bell Award winner, Judge Todd Campbell, all moved us with their powerful messages, and we are all better for having heard them. —Nathan H. Ridley, NBA President
