YLD Appeal - Fall: The Election Issue

YLD APPEAL fall 2016: the election issue

President Jonathan May jmay@lewisthomason.com

Vice-President / President-Elect Adam Johnson ajohnson@nstlaw.com

Newsletter Committee Chair Greg Allen greg@iwilldefendu.com Social Media Chair Shayla Purifoy spurifoy@malsi.org CLE Committee Chairs Jonathan Lindsey jlindsey@martintate.com Julia Kavanagh jkavanagh@bakerdonelson.com

Past-President Nicole Grida nicole.grida@me.com

Social Committee Chairs Adam Johnson ajohnson@nstlaw.com Natalie Bursi nbursi@lewisthomason.com Public Service Committee Chairs Joshua Baker jbaker@martintate.com Mary Wu mwu@bakerdonelson.com

Secretary/Treasurer Natalie Bursi nbursi@lewisthomason.com

Sports Committee Chairs Aaron Kandel ajkandel@gmail.com Sam Fargotstein sam@bbfpc.com Ex-OďŹƒcio Directors Abigail Hall ahall@bshrlaw.com Kenneth Walker walkerkm2@scsk12.org

COMING UP October 18 CLE: Where to Start With Startups November 10 YLD Annual Elections & Meeting November 17 Bar Meet: Lafayette’s December 8 MBA Annual Meeting March 9 YLD Grizz Night (Clippers @ MEM)

Chancellor Charles A. Rond Memorial Award The Young Lawyers’ Division is now accepting nominations for the Chancellor Charles A. Rond Memorial Award. This award is presented by the YLD to a local judge on an annual basis in honor of the late chancellor who was known for his intelligence, fairness, integrity, and wit.

Nominations will be accepted until Friday October 21, 2016 at 5:00 pm and online voting will take place the week of October 24, 2016. The winner will be recognized at the YLD Annual Meeting and Elections to be held at Central BBQ's downtown location on Thursday, November 10, 2016.

All nominations should be sent to YLD President Jonathan May at jmay@lewisthomason.com.

2017 YLD Board Elections All YLD members in good standing are encouraged to vote at the Annual Meeting, Thursday, November 10th, 2016 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the downtown Central Barbecue.

The YLD Board consists of a President, a Vice President/President-Elect, and nine Directors.

Absentee ballots can be cast for those members who have travel or other conflicts. Please use the online ballot or download it here when casting your absentee vote, and remember you must vote for 9 directors and complete the ballot or your vote will not be counted.

All licensed attorneys of Shelby County, Tennessee, who are members in good standing of the MBA and are 36 years of age and younger, or within the first three years of their practice of law, at the time of the Annual Meeting are eligible to vote.

Your nominees are listed on pages 3 and 4 and their full bios can be found at the end of the issue.

2017 YLD Board Nominees Vice President Candidate

Mary Wu

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

Greg Allen

Law OďŹƒce of Gregory D. Allen

Josh Baker

Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, P.C.

Natalie Bursi Lewis Thomason

Sam Fargotstein Ballin, Ballin & Fishman, P.C.

Kent Francis

Wiseman Ashworth Law Group, PLC

Aaron Kandel

Tennessee Department of Human Services

Julia Kavanagh

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

Jonathan Lindsey

Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, P.C.

Ruchee J. Patel

Ruchee J. Patel - Attorney at Law

Gary Peeples Burch, Porter & Johnson

Shayla Purifoy Judicial Commissioner

Monica R. Rejaei Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, PLC

Jared Renfroe Spicer Rudstrom

Sarah Pazar Williams Hall Booth Smith, P.C.

CLE

Jonathan A. Lindsey & Julia Kavanagh

On Tuesday, October 18th, the YLD will be providing a CLE focused on preparing attorneys to tackle legal issues faced by startups and other emerging companies. Entitled, “Where to Start with Startups,” the CLE will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the MBA offices. The opening speaker will be Eric Mathews, CEO and Founder of Start Co, who will discuss the startup climate in Memphis and the needs of startups, in general. Following Eric’s presentation, local attorneys will provide sessions on the following legal issues in the context of emerging companies: (i) entity formation and corporate governance (by Emily T. Brackstone, Baker Donelson); (ii) employment law, including employment agreements and restrictive covenants (by Gary S. Peeples, Burch Porter); and (iii) intellectual property (by Adam Eckstein, Martin Tate). The CLE will conclude with an attorney roundtable discussion on issues of professional responsibility faced by attorneys representing emerging companies.

This should prove to be yet another in the YLD’s year-long offering of engaging CLEs covering a wide array of practice areas and topics. Stay tuned for news on the YLD’s final CLE of the year in December on an issue of professional responsibility. Thanks to all who have attended our CLEs this year, and we hope to see you out at our Startup CLE on Tuesday!

SOCIAL

Adam Johnson & Natalie Bursi

Please join us on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Central BBQ downtown from 5:00 to 8:00 pm for the YLD Annual Meeting and Election as we celebrate the end of another successful year! Admission is $10.00, which covers food, beer and wine. All MBA members and their guests are welcome to attend and support the candidates running for next year’s Young Lawyers’ Division Board. We will also be presenting the Chancellor Charles A. Rond Award to the Outstanding Judge of the Year, so don’t miss out!

SPORTS Aaron Kandel & Sam Fargotstein

Year Wraps with Successful Golf Tournament at Galloway The Sports Committee is happy to report that this year’s YLD Charity Golf Tournament was once again a tremendous success. This year’s tournament was held on Friday, September 23 at the Links at Galloway in East Memphis and over 75 players participated in what turned out to be near perfect golf weather. Congratulations to this year’s winners: - First Place Team: Hank Spragins, Michael Katzman, Caleb Meriwether, and Chris Frulla; - Second Place Team: Josh Baker, Jonathan Lindsey, Brady Kroeker, and Jay Edwards; - Closest to the Pin: John Cannon; and - Longest Drive: John McArthur.

Each of the winners, as well as several door prize winners, walked away with great prizes donated from local retailers and restaurants. Although we are still working on final numbers, we anticipate that the tournament raised several thousand dollars for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis! And last but certainly not least, we would like to send out a special thanks to our Title Sponsors--Alpha Reporting, BankTennessee, IPSCO, and Shepard Wealth Management of Raymond James--we couldn't have pulled it off without them!

YLD Board Nominees Bios Greg Allen | Law Office of Gregory D. Allen Greg Allen was born in Friendship, Tennessee, but attended the University of Memphis for his undergraduate career. After earning a degree in criminology and criminal justice, he attended Cecil. C. Humphrey’s School of Law, where he graduated and passed the bar in 2011. Greg is quick to joke that after being in Memphis since graduating high school, this is just like a second home to him.

As such, Greg has a strong bond with the city and supports the University of Memphis. Greg can routinely be found on Tiger Lane rooting for the blue and gray or in the Grindhouse waiving his growl towel. He also proudly serves as a member of the Alumni Volunteer Corporation for Sigma Phi Epsilon, his undergraduate fraternity, a board, which works closely with the University of Memphis faculty and staff.

While in law school some of Greg’s favorite activities were those giving back to others. Greg worked as a graduate assistant and student ambassador for the admissions office, performed an externship with MALS, and served as Marshall for Phi Alpha Delta Law school fraternity.

Currently Greg works as a solo practitioner at the Law Office of Gregory D. Allen, where he continues to strive for a balanced lifestyle of working and helping others. When he’s not in the courtroom advocating for his client’s rights, Greg can be found devoting his time to pro bo work, attending TACDL seminars, and volunteering his time at philanthropic events. For 2014 and 2015, the Tennessee Supreme Court honored Greg as an Attorney for Justice, recognizing his commitment to providing counseling for clients who could not afford legal services. In 2015, Greg served on the board for the Memphis Bar Association – Young Lawyers Division, as an Ex-Officio Director. In 2016, Greg served on the Young Lawyers Board of Directors as the Newsletter chair.

Josh Baker | Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, P.C. Josh Baker is an associate at Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, P.C., where he practices in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate Administration, Economic Development, State and Local Tax, Commercial Real Estate, and Civil Litigation. Josh earned his B.A. from the University of Tennessee and a J.D./M.B.A. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and Fogelman College of Business and Economics.

For the past two years, Josh has served as Co-Chair of the YLD Public Service Committee, where he assisted in managing and coordinating the Shelby County High School Mock Trial Competition, Legal Lines, and the Saturday Legal Clinic. Josh also serves on the Executive Committee of the MBA’s Estate Planning and Probate Section and is an Associate Member of the Leo Bearman, Sr., American Inn of Court.

Prior to law school, Josh served as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He completed two combat deployments where he served as an infantry squad leader and howitzer section chief. Josh was selected by his local unit and the Chattanooga Marine Corps League as the 2007 Marine of the Year and earned a combat action ribbon and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. Josh previously served a two year term on the University of Tennessee Young Alumni Council. He is a member of Second Presbyterian Church and is married to Melissa M. Baker who works as a C.P.A. for Deloitte & Touche. Josh is seeking election to the YLD Board of Directors and would appreciate your support.

Natalie Bursi | Lewis Thomason Natalie Bursi is an associate with Lewis Thomason, where she practices in general civil litigation with a focus on health care liability. She earned a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2009 and earned her J.D. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 2013. During law school, Natalie served as managing editor of the Mental Health Law & Policy Journal and worked as a graduate assistant to Dean of Career Services, Estelle Winsett. She also worked as an intern for the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and served as an extern for the Honorable Judge Holly M. Kirby of the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Section.

Natalie was elected to the YLD Board of Directors in 2014 and has served as co-chair of the Social Committee for the past two years. Natalie has assisted the YLD with community service activities that benefit both the legal profession and the greater community, such as the High School Mock Trial Competition, the MALS Saturday Legal Clinic, and the YLD’s Annual Golf Tournament. Natalie also helped plan the YLD’s Annual Grizzlies Night and the first YLD Levitt Shell Night. If elected for another term, Natalie would like to continue the YLD’s strong tradition of serving the Memphis legal community. She has enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors and would be honored to continue serving the YLD if elected.

Sam Fargotstein | Ballin, Ballin & Fishman, P.C. My name is Sam Fargotstein. I am an associate attorney at the law office of Ballin, Ballin & Fishman, P.C., specializing in civil litigation. I am seeking a third term on the Memphis Bar Association YLD Board. In 2016, I served as co-chair with incoming YLD President Aaron Kandel on the YLD Sports Committee. I organized another amazing season of the Young Lawyers Basketball League and, along with Mr. Kandel, put together the extremely successful YLD Golf Tournament at Galloway Golf Course, raising thousands of dollars for the Boys and Girls Club of Memphis. In the year ahead, I hope to continue to work with the YLD Board to create useful and fun programming for young lawyers in Memphis. Specifically, I would like to get ideas from constituents for new ways to expand the sports programs offered by the YLD Board, as well as to enhance the quality of programs and events currently offered.

When I am not working alongside the other members of the YLD Board, I serve as co-founder of the Memphis T.I. Fellowship Program, a summer jobs program designed to attract young Jewish professionals to Memphis for employment and potential relocation to Memphis. Now approaching its Fifth summer, the TI Fellowship has brought 70 young Jewish professionals to Memphis to engage in meaningful work opportunities and to enjoy all that this amazing city has to offer. I also serve on the Board of Directors of the Levitt Shell. I currently reside in East Memphis with my wife, Rebecca, and daughter, Brianna, along with two incorrigible mutts, Penny and Lady. I look forward to continuing to work with this distinguished board in 2017.

Kent Francis | Wiseman Ashworth Law Group, PLC Kent is an associate at Wiseman Ashworth Law Group, PLC, a litigation firm with offices in Nashville and Memphis. His practice is concentrated on defending physicians, hospitals, and long term care facilities in healthcare liability actions. Kent graduated from Furman University and the University of Tennessee College of Law. He was born and raised in Memphis and currently lives in High Point Terrace with his wife, Ann Tipton Francis. Ann Tipton is an associate at Baker Donelson. Kent enjoys playing in the YLD Basketball League with his brother, Hugh Francis, an associate at the Hardison Law Firm. When not practicing law, Kent spends his time duck hunting, playing golf, and running.

Aaron Kandel | Tennessee Department of Human Services, Division of Appeals and Hearings Aaron Kandel is an active member of the Memphis Bar Association and has served on the YLD board for the past three years.

He first joined the board as an ex-officio Director, was the Newsletter Chair in 2015, and is currently Co-Chair of the Sports Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the MBA By-laws Revision Committee and the Tennessee Bar Association YLD board.

Since 2009, Aaron has been an administrative judge with the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Division of Appeals and Hearings. In his position with DHS, Aaron presides over a wide variety of administrative appeals including matters regarding child support enforcement and eligibility for government services. Aaron earned his J.D. from The University of Tennessee in 2008. While in law school, Aaron was a member of Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law, a judicial extern in the Knox County Chancery and General Sessions courts, and a Nathan Burkan Memorial Competition first prize recipient. He earned his B.S. in Computer Engineering from The George Washington University in 2005.

Aaron and his wife Melissa moved to Memphis in 2010, bought a home in 2013, and started raising a family here in 2015. During the NBA season, Aaron can often be found at the “Grind House” cheering on your Memphis Grizzlies. He is proud to call Memphis home and welcomes opportunities to serve the public and the Bar. Julia Kavanagh | Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz Julia Kavanagh is a litigation associate with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C., where she focuses her practice on healthcare liability defense, products liability and premises liability defense, and general civil litigation. A native of Boise, Idaho, Julia has been proud to call Memphis home since 2006. Julia is a 2009 graduate of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and a 2005 graduate of Knox College. She was named a Mid-South Rising Star by Mid-South Super Lawyers for the years 2013 and 2015 in the area of medical malpractice defense and is a graduate of the 2010-2011 class of the MBA Leadership Forum.

Jonathan A. Lindsey | Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, P.C. Jonathan A. Lindsey is a native Memphian and an Associate at the law firm of Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, P.C. He received his B.A. Degree (History, with honors) from the University of Memphis in 2003 and his M.A. Degree (Education) from the University of Memphis College of Education in 2007. After graduating first in his class from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Jonathan joined Martin Tate as an Associate in July 2012. Jonathan’s practice focuses on Business/Tax, including PILOT tax incentives and property tax matters, and on general civil litigation, including commercial litigation and insurance litigation.

Jonathan is married to Erica Lindsey, his wife of 9 years, and has two children, Garrison and Sullivan. He is an active member of the Chairman’s Outer Circle of SoundCheck, the young professional council of the Greater Memphis Chamber, serves on the executive board of Millennials for Memphis, and actively serves at Highpoint Church. Jonathan is an avid fan of University of Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies, and enjoys reading and camping.

Ruchee J. Patel | Ruchee J. Patel - Attorney at Law Ruchee J. Patel is a sole practitioner. Her practice areas include criminal defense, family law, juvenile court and general sessions. She is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law and the University of Tennessee.

Leadership: Tennessee Asian Pacific American Bar Association – Board of Directors; Fogelman Downtown YMCA – Board of Advisors; Krysalis Memphis Lawyers for the Arts - Board of Advisors; Sigma Kappa Sorority – Alumnae Chapter – Vice President Recognition; Memphis Bar Association Leadership Forum Graduate 2013; Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Trial College Graduate 2011; YMCA of Memphis Volunteer of the Year 2013; Criminal Justice Act - Panel Attorney Appointment 2015-2018; Prior Involvement with YLD and MBA; High School Mock Trial – Volunteer Judge; Project Homeless Connect – Volunteer Attorney; YLD “Legal Lines” – Volunteer Attorney; MBA Bar History Committee - Shelby County Courthouse Centennial Celebration; CLE Presenter "201 101: The Basics of Criminal Practice in Shelby County"; CLE Presenter "Criminal Court Appointments: How To Get Appointed And How To Get Paid" Gary Peeples | Burch, Porter & Johnson After finishing dead last in a multi-candidate pool last year, I’m back like Brett Favre circa 2010. I practice (mostly) labor and employment defense at Burch, Porter & Johnson. In addition to practicing law, I’m active in the community at large (serving, for example, as a founding board member of a Memphis charter school) and in the legal community (Inn of Court, etc.). I’ve presented at multiple CLEs over the past year, including at Bench Bar in September. I have several CLE-related ideas and would be a dedicated member of the YLD Board if elected.

Shayla Nicole Purifoy | Judicial Commissioner Shayla Nicole Purifoy is a lifelong Memphian that is committed to helping Memphis thrive by being involved in community service, professional organizations, and supporting events and causes that make Memphis a better place. She earned her B.A. from Rhodes College, majoring in Urban Studies and earned her J.D. from the University of Memphis, School of Law. She was recently appointed the position of Judicial Commissioner by the Shelby County Commissioners. Previously, she worked at Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS) for almost 8 years assisting survivors of sexual, physical, and stalking abuse with civil legal issues. She has been on the YLD board for the past two years.

She has previously volunteer coached the Central High School Mock Trial Team and the Rhodes Mock Trial Program. She served as the treasurer, parliamentarian, and recording secretary for the Ben F. Jones Chapter and currently volunteers for the Chapter. She also served as treasurer for Women of Achievement, an organization that awards women each year for heritage, steadfastness, initiative, and courage. She graduated from the MBA’s 2013 Leadership Forum class and was voted the Outstanding Associate of 2013 by the Leo Bearman, Sr. American Inn of Court.

During her free time, she spends time with her dog Sgt. Pepper, loves to bike the Memphis Greenline, and supports local businesses.

Monica R. Rejaei | Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, PLC Monica R. Rejaei is an attorney with Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, PLC. She has been practicing for six years and chairs NST’s workers’ compensation practice group. Although workers’ compensation is her main area of practice, she also has experience in personal injury and Social Security Disability. Monica is a graduate of The University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. During law school, she served as judicial law clerk to The Honorable Judge James Russell in Division II of the Shelby County Circuit Court. She has lived in Memphis area for most of her life and is well-rooted in the community. Monica is an active member of the Memphis Bar Association and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Philip, and three year old daughter, Caroline.

Jared Renfroe | Spicer Rudstrom Jared is an Associate with Spicer Rudstrom in the Memphis office who focuses on litigation throughout Tennessee. He graduated cum laude from Lambuth University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and then graduated cum laude with a J.D. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. He served as an editor for the Tennessee Law Review and was recognized with the Jerry J. Phillips Best Comment award for his article that was published in the Tennessee Law Review. Jared was also involved with numerous pro bono activities and the legal clinic while in law school. Jared currently serves on the Memphis Bar Association’s Publications Committee and St. Jude Committee, and was recently published by the Memphis Lawyer magazine and the Nashville Business Journal for his article on 2016 legislative changes to Tennessee’s Workers’ Compensation Act. He has volunteered for the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation, where he mentored middle school students at local charter schools, focusing on life skills such as leadership, team-building, personal responsibility and civic engagement. Jared recently became a St. Jude Hero for his involvement and fundraising for the 2016 St. Jude Marathon weekend. Jared’s practice is concentrated primarily in the areas of workers’ compensation, premises liability, business and commercial representation, employment practices litigation, and professional liability.

Sarah Pazar Williams | Hall Booth Smith, P.C. Sarah Pazar Williams is a fifth-year associate at Hall Booth Smith, P.C. Sarah is originally from Memphis and started her legal career at Baker Donelson, where she practiced until March 2016. She graduated from Vanderbilt Law in 2012 after spending seven years in Chicago, first going to college, and then doing not-for-profit event planning with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

For the past three years, Sarah has served as the Chair of the Young Lawyer Committee of Memphis Area Legal Services’ Campaign for Equal Justice. The CEJ’s Young Lawyers have co-hosted and co-sponsored several events with the MBA YLD over the years and Sarah is looking forward to the opportunity of serving the Young Lawyer community in a broader capacity on the YLD Board. Sarah is newly married to a current 3L law student and is a very proud Grizzlies season ticket holder.

Mary Wu | Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz Mary Wu is an associate with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz where she assists clients with various business-related litigation matters, from contractual disputes to tax liability litigation. Mary earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Alabama in 2012. She’a a member of the Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. She’s also an Associate member of the Leo Bearman, Sr. American Inn of Court. Mary has enjoyed her role on the YLD's Board for the past 3 years as co-chair of the Public Service Committee. Particularly, it’s been a great experience to coordinate the High School Mock Trial Competition, the annual Legal Lines event and the YLD's sponsorship of the Saturday Legal Clinic. She looks forward to the opportunity to serve as a board member once again.