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Home University of Memphis Media Room News Releases Law School Alumni Association to Honor Seven at Pillars Event

Law School Alumni Association to Honor Seven at Pillars Event 

New Cecil C. Humphreys Law School Dean Strickland Creates Public Service Award

August 23, 2024 — The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Alumni Chapter will honor seven individuals at the Pillars of Excellence Law Alumni Chapter Awards on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the University of Memphis Maxine A. Smith University Center.  

This year marks the first time the awards ceremony will be held on UofM’s campus under new law school Dean Jim Strickland. 

The Law Alumni Chapter created the Pillars of Excellence Award in 2007 to recognize Memphis-area legal community members who have significantly impacted the practice of law. Recipients of the Pillars of Excellence Award must have been admitted to the practice of law for more than 40 years, given significant service to the legal profession and community, served in leadership roles in the legal and civic communities, made other significant contributions to the practice of law and must be generally recognized among the Memphis Bar to possess the highest legal skills and ethical standards.  

All proceeds from the event will go towards the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and student scholarship support. 

The 2024 Pillars of Excellence honorees are: 

  • Dorothy J. Pounders (JD ’81) Owner/Partner Pounders Coleman Law Firm. 
  • Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr. United States District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee. 
  • Leland McNabb Founding member, McNabb, Bragorgos, Burgess, & Sorin, PLLC. 
  • Mark R. Allen (JD ’80) Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for FedEx. 
  • Richard Murrell Carter (JD ’80) Director, Shareholder, Chairman of Litigation, Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, P.C. 

The Law Alumni Chapter will also bestow the honor of 2024 Friend of the Law School to David A. Pickler (JD ’85), President and CEO of Pickler Wealth Advisors, The Pickler Law Firm and Co-Founder of Pickler Accounting Advisors. 

This year also marks the first time the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Dean’s Distinguished Public Service Award will be presented. Selected by the dean, this award recognizes an alum who has made a significant positive impact on the Memphis community through public service. This year’s recipient is Tennessee State Senator Ken Yager (JD ’77). 

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Godwin
Director of Media and Public Relations
jennifer.godwin@memphis.edu
(O) 901.678.4822 (M) 501.529.7482

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