Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association (“TDLA”) is proud to announce the annual award winners for TDLA Defense Lawyer of the Year and Rising Star awards that were presented at the recent TDLA Annual Meeting.

Hal S. “Hank” Spragins, Jr of Hickman, Goza & Spragins law firm in Memphis was presented the 2021 Defense Lawyer of the Year award. This award honors 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. He began his practice in 2011, and in 2021 he proudly joined the law firm as a partner that was founded by his grandfather and lead by his father. The effort to work hard and make the legal community better has always been one of his goals. He currently serves on the Board of TDLA.

Rachel Dix Bishop of Stites & Harbison law firm in Nashville is the recipient of the 2021 TDLA Rising Star award. This award honors 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. Rachel has “hit the ground running” in her short tenure with TDLA, having attended and participated in most, if not all, state meetings. She is an active participant in TDLA’s Young Lawyer division and served as a Young Lawyer Board liaison. She served as the 2020 Chair of the TDLA Annual Meeting and Young Lawyer Boot Camp. She recently was appointed to the 2021-2022 TDLA Board as a Director I.

The 2021-2022 TDLA Board of Directors was also installed at the Annual Meeting. Congratulations to the following Board members:

President – Dawn Davis Carson; Hickman, Goza & Spragins in Memphis
President-Elect – Hannah Lowe; Fields Howell, LLP in Knoxville
Secretary/Treasurer- Nathan Shelby; Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, PLC in Nashville
Immediate Past President – Heather Douglas; Manier & Herod in Nashville