Four Tennessee lawyers have been elected to leadership positions in the American Bar Association.

The American Bar Association is a national organization of lawyers and has a significant voice in the molding of legislation that impacts the general public. Additionally, in many circumstances, the ABA has influence over the selection of judges, particularly on the Federal level. Now I believe the ABA is too liberal but it’s significant that we have Tennesseans in these leadership positions.
Former Tennessee Bar Association President Danny Van Horn takes over as chair of the Standing Committee on Membership. Mr. Van Horn who practices in Memphis has been active in the bar leadership for some time.
Nashville attorney Jonathan Cole, who previously served as the President of the Nashville Bar Association was elected secretary of the National Conference of Bar Presidents. It is generally expected that this election positions him to lead the ABA in a few years. He is only the third Tennessean to hold that position.
Seated to an at-large seat in the ABA House of Delegates was Knoxville lawyer Carole Worthington. Ms. Worthington practices primarily in the area of estates and elder law.
Finally, Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper was named as a delegate to the ABA House, representing the National Association of Attorneys General.

Of course all of these positions are non-paid. Those that serve do so with a desire to improve the profession and consequently the lives of our respective clients. We are pleased to see the voice of Tennesseans in the American Bar Association.

Having practiced law in the East Tennessee area for over thirty years, I have great respect for those that serve in leadership positions within our legal community.