TDLA Award Winners

The Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association wishes to recognize the talent and achievements of our members
by presenting the following annual awards at the Fall Meeting Awards Dinner event. 

DEFENSE LAWYER OF THE YEAR
To honor a TDLA member who has made significant contributions to TDLA, to the defense bar, and/or to the practice of law in Tennessee this year.

RISING STAR AWARD
To honor a TDLA member who has been practicing law 10 years or less and who has made significant contributions to TDLA, to the defense bar, and/or who has promoted the interests of young lawyers in Tennessee this year.

Nathan E. Shelby Emerging Leaders Award
To honor an emerging TDLA leader and participant in the TDLA Emerging Leaders Program, who has demonstrated development of leadership skills through participation in multiple TDLA events. The award honors Nathan Shelby (1979-2023), TDLA President-Elect 2022-2023, who was known for his strength in identifying and mentoring young lawyers to fulfill their potential as effective civil defense lawyers, and as emerging leaders in TDLA.

2024-2025

Defense Lawyer of the Year - Steve Dix, Dix & Associates

Rising Star - A.J. Parker, Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell

Nathan E. Shelby Emerging Leaders Award - Jordan Gibson, Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell

2023-2024

Defense Lawyer of the Year - Scott Rhodes, White & Rhodes

Rising Star - Christina Hadaway, Hickman, Goza & Spragins

Nathan E. Shelby Emerging Leaders Award - AJ Parker, Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell

2022-2023

Defense Lawyer of the Year - Chris Frulla, Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell

Rising Star - Chancey Miller, Carr Allison

2021-2022

Defense Lawyer of the Year - Hank Spragins, Hickman Goza & Spragins

Rising Star - Rachel Bishop, Stites & Harbison

2020-2021

Defense Lawyer of the Year - Kay Anderson, Baker Donelson

Rising Star - Devin Lyon, Arnett, Draper & Hagood

2019-2020

Defense Lawyer of the Year - Sean Martin, Carr Allison

Rising Star - Melissa Carrasco, Egerton, McAfee, Armistead & Davis

2018-2019

Defense Lawyer of the Year - Thomas Wiseman, Wiseman Ashworth

Rising Star - Elijah Settlemyre, Trammell, Adkins & Ward

2017-2018

Defense Lawyer of the Year - Dawn Davis Carson, Hickman, Goza & Spragins

Rising Star - Adam Nelson, Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell

2016-2017

Defense Lawyer of the Year - Michael Haynie, Manier & Herod

Rising Star - Nancy Steer, Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC