So why'd I pick up a book on Tennessee? Is there something in the water TN lawyers drink?

Tennessee continues to come to my attention. Just last week, I blogged about the changes in the TN CLE provisions. A number of people I know have moved to that state recently and are both charmed and happy. A whole host of TN lawyers are involved in efforts focused on the well-being of counsel and their clients; here are a few of the Tennessee people listed in the brochure [pdf] at my post Conference later this month: Lawyers As Peacemakers, Lawyers as Problemsolvers:

• Maureen T. Holland "is a pioneer in the private practice of holistic law in Memphis."
• Constance Ross, at The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, "introduces
  "law students to the concept of law as a healing profession and to practices that will
  facilitate finding personal satisfaction in their work."
• Julie Sandine, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the Vanderbilt Law School, "developed a research project at Vanderbilt regarding the effects of meditation on law student well-being."
• David Shearon, Executive Director of the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization, "is an attorney and holds a master's degree in Applied Positive Psychology. David has lectured extensively in Tennessee on 'Lawyering and the Good Life'."
• Jocelyn Wurzburg "began Memphis' first mediation practice in 1984 and founded the Mediation Association of Tennessee."

I don't believe the number of lawyers in Tennessee is large. A colleague told me that it's about 6,500. I couldn't

verify that online. Do you know? For a small bar, much going on in the area of the health of the profession, don't you think? (Note: Dave Shearon tells me there are 15,000 active lawyers in Tennessee.)

I decided to do a little research on the state so ordered a book. In a quick Google, I learned that, in 2007, Fast Company listed Nashville a "city on the verge" in the category of "Culture Center," and that Memphis is the "capital of the real [as opposed to virtual] world." For more about Nashville, read what Randy Elrod has to say at his blog ethos. (Randy, by the way, is a friend of our friend Ken Davis who also lives in TN.) You know I am a strong proponent of storytelling as a communication tool; well, I see that TN is home to the annual National Storytelling Festival. Tennessee is sounding like my kind of place.

Oh, and one last thing: I love barbecue! I think I will be visiting the Volunteer State very soon.

Note (added later on August 27, 2009): Take a look at Kim Wright's comment below. She too has noticed something is happening in the TN legal world.

Note (added November 17, 2009): More about contemplative practices at Vanderbilt University Law School.

Comments

[Kim Wright]

Hey Stephanie, I'm in Nashville, at Vanderbilt Law School, leading a program on Collaborative Law at this very moment. I wrote about the TN transformation earlier at: http://cuttingedgelaw.com/content/memphis-not-just-barbecue-capital-any-more

[Kim Wright]

Later comment: Stephanie, if you're looking for someone else who is spiking the water, check out Linda Warren Seely! She's the director of pro bono in Memphis and has been one of the planners for the many Tennessee events. http://cuttingedgelaw.com/video/linda-warren-seely-public-service

[Randy Elrod]

Thanks so much for the reference and trackback! Great article!!!