REP. FARMER RECEIVES TBA PRESIDENT’S AWARD

State Representative Andrew Farmer, a first term representative in TN House District 17 serving portions of Jefferson and Sevier County, was honored on June 14^th with the President’s Award from outgoing TBA president Jacqueline Dixon at the association’s annual luncheon and meeting in Nashville. Farmer sponsored legislation to update guardianship and conservatorship laws in Tennessee with HB0692. “This comes as a complete surprise to me,” says Rep. Farmer. “I had no idea at all that I would receive such a distinction from the association and am extremely honored and humbled by this award.”

State Senator Doug Overbey of Maryville was also honored with the President’s Award by Dixon for sponsoring the Senate version of the same legislation, SB0555. The legislation passed the House on April 17^th and later passed the Senate on April 19^th. It was signed by Governor Bill Haslam on May 16^th to become part of Public Chapter 435 of Tennessee Code Annotated. The newly-updated law will take effect on July 1^st.

Also honored with the President’s Award on June 14^th at the annual luncheon and meeting were Kay Caudle, Marisa Combs, Hugh Kendall, and Chris Varner. Caudle was honored for her work with the Attorney Well Being Committee’s planning for the “Better Next Year” programming. She also was instrumental in getting content for the May 2013 issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal. Combs and Kendall were recognized for co-chairing the Transitions Subcommittee of the Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee. Varner was recognized for leading the mentoring task force in developing a mentoring program.