Where

are They Now? Annette Cherry ’22: Step by Step

Deciding to sit for the Tennessee Bar Exam comes with an understanding that life leading up to the exam will be filled with intense hours of planning, researching, and reviewing almost everything learned in law school.

For law school graduates who work full time, must take care of their family, or have other personal responsibilities, the process can test their limits.

Most Nashville School of Law 2022 Graduates took the exam in July. Alumna Annette Cherry decided to wait. She was already coping with an all-consuming life challenge.

“Experiencing six rounds of chemo, four hospital stays, bronchitis, multiple kidney stones, COVID, not even having the strength to go up and down the stairs at my house and just generally being knocked out from the treatments for two to three days in a row, I knew there was no way I could take the test in July,” said Cherry.

NOT GIVING UP AT THE END OF FOUR YEARS’ WORTH OF WORK

Cherry was diagnosed in March of 2022 with Stage IIB HER-2 positive breast cancer. With only two months before graduation, Cherry told NSL Staff, her professors, and classmates about her diagnosis.

“Everyone I told was so supportive. My class was more supportive than I could have imagined. They prayed for me and gave me their phone numbers so I could call them. They sent

Bible verses, a prayer cloth, and gift cards,” she said. “They gave me a book filled with notecards that I could read during treatment or on the days that I needed a pick-me-up.”

Regaining her health became Cherry’s priority. Starting chemotherapy in April, she managed to endure treatments while continuing her schoolwork.

She leaned on her family and classmates and remained steadfast in her faith. “I am a firm believer that the Lord knew what day he was going to put me on this Earth, and he knows what day he is going to take me from this Earth. My job is to do the best I can each day in between,” said Cherry.

During treatments her medical team determined the cancer had spread to her liver, which changed the diagnosis to metastatic breast cancer (aka Stage IV). Despite the unfortunate news and an increase in medication, Cherry did not quit.

“When people asked if I was going to finish (law) school I said, ‘Um yeah! I don’t care if I have to have someone drop me off at the door, I am not giving up at the end of four years’ worth of work,’” she said.

Cherry did finish her coursework, took her exams, and was on track to graduate. Days before NSL’s Commencement Ceremony, she was hospitalized once again which kept her home and unable to walk across the stage to receive her diploma.

In December of 2022, Cherry’s scans were clear, showing no cancer in her breast, lymph nodes or liver. However, due to her metastatic breast cancer (Stage IV) diagnosis, Cherry will continue IV maintenance chemotherapy and some oral medication for the rest of her life.

“I have been working on building up my strength and endurance. I have worked throughout this entire process remotely from my home office. My employer and team of co-workers have been very helpful,” she said. Recently celebrating 10 years working at the Law Office of K. Brian Hay in Columbia, Tennessee, Cherry talked with her boss about taking the bar exam in February.

“I want it to be ‘one and done’ as Professor David Hudson said at orientation all those years ago,” she said.

Cherry used Barbri, AdaptiBar and CriticalPass note cards to study. She called on class- mates who shared their study methods and even challenged herself to take the simulated Multistate Bar Exam (MBE).

“My entire body hurt taking the timed simulated MBE. I planned specifically to take it on that day because I had treatment the next day, and I knew I could rest,” Cherry said.

“Almost everything takes me longer now. I get very tired. Some days my body just says, ‘Lay back down ‘cause we aren’t doing anything but resting today.’”

Cherry continues to struggle with side effects from her medications. Feeling nauseous and sleepy are common symptoms. Yet, once she makes a plan, she follows through with that plan. For months, Cherry studied for the bar exam in her home office, and when she felt tired, she would listen to audio lectures and flash cards. She studied in her bed, or a comfortable nook, setting up makeshift desks throughout her house.

On Feb. 21 and 22, Cherry sat for the Tennessee Bar Exam at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds and finished on time both days. “It took a lot out of me, but I made it,” she said.

FOCUSING ON THE NEXT STEP, NOT THE STAIRCASE

Coming from a family of real estate professionals, Cherry started her career as a title searcher in January of 1999. She hopes to continue her work at the Law Office of K. Brian Hay, and after passing the bar exam she would like to eventually expand her role working on quiet title suits and probates.

“I do not know yet what my ‘new normal’ is going to be, but I do know that one of my passions is property law and that will definitely have a place in my future,” Cherry said. To the NSL staff, instructors and her classmates, Cherry said she will always be grateful for their kindness and compassion.

“I have so many people praying for me. That is truly a blessing, a blessing that I have no way to repay, but one that I am thankful for,” she said. “NSL is a tight community of people who are willing to help their students and alumni.”

“I continue to remind myself to focus on the next step in front of me, not the entire staircase ahead of me,” Cherry said. “I just keep getting up each morning and doing the best I can for that day.”