Awards
(Presented at the annual NBA Law Day Luncheon)
The Jack Norman, Sr. Award is given to criminal law practitioners—including specifically defense attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, and judges of courts with criminal jurisdiction—who practice before or serve as judges of courts exercising criminal jurisdiction located in the Metropolitan Nashville area. The award may be given posthumously and is not necessarily presented every year, but only when a deserving individual is to be recognized.
The Norman Award must be 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—including but not limited to the provision of uncompensated or under-compensated representation of the accused.
1996 | Jack Norman, Sr. (posthumously)
1997 | not presented
1998 | Judge Tom Shriver
1999 | Seth Walker & John Hooker, Sr.
2000 | James F. Neal
2001 | Joe P. Binkley, Sr.
2002 | not presented
2003 | not presented
2004 | William M. Leech. Jr.
2005 | Judge J. Randall Wyatt, Jr.
2006 | Hal Hardin
2007 | not presented
2008 | Charlie Ray
2009 | Ross Alderman
2010 | Ed Yarbrough
2011 | Richard McGee
2012 | Peter Strianse
2013 | David Raybin
2014 | Torry Johnson
2015 | not presented
2016 | Judge Seth Norman
2017 | Dawn Deaner
2018 | Tom Thurman
2019 | Mariah Wooten
2020 | Patrick T. McNally
2021 | Henry Martin
2022 | Judge Mark Fishburn
2023 | Hon. Walter Kurtz
(Presented at the annual NBA Law Day Luncheon)
The Liberty Bell Award is given to that person or group—but not necessarily lawyers or law-related groups—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.
1986 | Dave Rutherford, Bill Willis & M. Lee Smith
1987 | Connie F. Wright & James F. Blumstein
1988 | CASA
1989 | Sharon DeBoer & Kirk Loggins
1990 | Wade Cowan & NBA YLD
1991 | Lt. Col. Jeff Henry & Court Preparation Group
1992 | Judith Cannizzaro & Exchange Club of Nashville
1993 | George Rooker
1994 | Marshall Albritton
1995 | Mary Ann Hea & Kroger Company
1996 | Nashville Banner
1997 | Bradley MacLean, Sabin R. Thompson, N. Sue Van Sant Palmer & Marlinda R. Bruno
1998 | Adinah Robertson
1999 | Tennessee Justice Center & LAW
2000 | Senator Douglas Henry & NBA YLD
2001 | Richard Dinkins & Mary Walker
2002 | Wally Dietz
2003 | Andrea Conte
2004 | John Siegenthaler & NCRC
2005 | Judge George C. Paine & Renewal House
2006 | Drake Holliday
2007 | Governor's Books from Birth Foundation
2008 | Judge Walter Kurtz
2009 | Ross Alderman
2010 | Joseph Johnston
2011 | Judge William J. Haynes, Jr.
2012 | Victoria Webb
2013 | Andy Shookhoff
2014 | McGavock, Health Science & Law Academy
2015 | not presented
2016 | John Hollins, Sr. (posthumously)
2017 | Judge Todd Campbell
2018 | David Esquivel & Dean William C. Koch, Jr.
2019 | Judge Joe P. Binkley, Jr.
2020 | Margaret Behm, Jeanie Nelson, Juli Mosley
2021 | Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle
2022 | not presented
2023 | Ashley Wiltshire
(Presented at the NBA Annual Meeting & Banquet)
The John C. Tune Public Service Award was approved by the Board of Directors at its monthly meeting on April 6, 1983 to be given to the Nashville Bar Association member who has shown the highest degree of dedication—not only to his or her work as a lawyer—but to the betterment of the community in which he or she lives.
The purpose of the award is to recognize members who make outstanding contributions to the greater Nashville area community while distinguishing themselves as practicing attorneys. The award is to be the highest award presented at the NBA Annual Banquet. Due to the nature of the award and the fact that it is to be considered the highest award which can be bestowed upon a member, it was decided that the award did not necessarily have to be given annually, but only when there is someone deserving of this award.
Jet Tune Speech (History)
1983 | John C. Tune
1984 | George C. Cate, Jr.
1985 | Harlan Dodson
1986 | Reber Boult
1987 | Cecil Branstetter
1988 | Harris Gilbert
1989 | Wilson Sims
1990 | Ruth Kinnard
1991 | Avon Williams
1992 | Charlie Warfield
1993 | Bill Willis
1994 | Frank Gorrell (posthumously)
1995 | G. Gordon Bonnyman
1996 | not presented
1997 | Aubrey B. Harwell, Jr.
1998 | Jack W. Robinson, Sr.
1999 | Rebecca Thomas
2000 | Valerius Sanford
2001 | Margaret Behm
2002 | David Vincent
2003 | Ashley Wiltshire
2004 | Gareth Aden
2005 | Chief Justice Frank Drowota
2006 | Mayor Bill Purcell
2007 | Judge Barbara Haynes
2008 | Judge Cissy Daughtrey
2009 | not presented
2010 | Mayor Karl Dean
2011 | Bill Ramsey
2012 | Harlan Dodson, III
2013 | Byron Trauger
2014 | George Barrett (posthumously)
2015 | Lew Conner
2016 | Abby Rubenfeld & Bill Harbison
2017 | Judge Richard H. Dinkins
2018 | Hal Hardin
2019 | Charles W. Bone
2020 | Henry Martin
2021 | Charles Grant
2022 | not presented
2023 | Michele Johnson