Nashville Lawyer Joycelyn Stevenson Named TBA Executive Director

The Tennessee Bar Association on Thursday named Nashville lawyer Joycelyn Stevenson as its new executive director.

A shareholder with Littler Mendelson PC with a practice focused on labor and employment law, Ms. Stevenson has been a leader in the Tennessee legal community, serving as president of both the Nashville Bar Association and the Lawyers' Association for Women - Marion Griffin Chapter. She is the first African-American woman to lead both organizations and will be the first African-American woman to direct the TBA.

"We are thrilled to have Joycelyn bring her talents, experience and vision to the Tennessee Bar Association.

This is an exciting hire for all Tennessee lawyers," TBA President Jason Long said in announcing the appointment. "After an exhaustive national search, with many outstanding candidates, Joycelyn stood out, not only for her ability, but because of her understanding of the needs of Tennessee lawyers and the Tennessee legal community."

Ms. Stevenson is a native of Macon, Ga., who earned her undergraduate degree at Howard University and her law degree from Vanderbilt University in 2001. She spent 12 years practicing law at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Nashville before joining the Nashville office of Littler Mendelson PC as a shareholder in 2013.

"I am honored to serve as the next executive director of the Tennessee Bar Association," Ms. Stevenson said. "I look forward to working with the Board of Governors and the dedicated TBA employees, local bar associations and stakeholders to build on an already strong foundation."

Ms. Stevenson is the 2017 recipient of the Napier Looby Bar Association's J.C. Napier Trailblazer Award and previously was recognized with a Nashville Chamber Emerging Leader Award, a Nashville Athena Young Professionals Award and a Nashville Business Journal 40 under 40 Award.

In addition, she has served as president of the Council on Aging of Greater Nashville and secretary of the Nashville Farmers Market Board.

"The TBA has a long tradition of staff leadership by accomplished Tennessee lawyers. Joycelyn's appointment continues that excellent tradition," TBA Executive Director Emeritus Allan Ramsaur said of the appointment.

"I am very excited about this opportunity," Ms. Stevenson added. "The TBA is an important institution in our state, and we will continue to promote growth and development, foster service opportunities and nurture collaborative relationships among our members and across the legal profession."

The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) is the largest professional association in Tennessee with 13,000 members. Founded in 1881, the TBA provides opportunities for continuing legal education, professional development and public service. The TBA's dedication to serving the state's legal community is evidenced by its membership roll, which represents the entire spectrum of legal practice: plaintiff and defense lawyers, corporate counsel, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, government lawyers and legal services attorneys.