(Memphis, TN/July 14, 2010) George T. "Buck" Lewis of the law firm Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, has been named a recipient of the 2009-2010 Public Service Honor Roll Award by the American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) and its Law in Public Service Committee.
The Honor Roll Award is a national award presented to members who distinguish themselves among their peers in serving the public good. During his term as president of the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) from June 2008 to June 2009, Mr. Lewis made access to justice the theme of his presidency, launching the "4ALL" campaign to bring much needed legal services to Tennesseans of modest means. The "4ALL" campaign resulted in significantly increased pro bono participation by Tennessee attorneys as well as eight separate court rules and legislative changes that have been instrumental in enhancing the delivery of pro bono services in Tennessee. The campaign led to the TBA being named the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Harrison Tweed Award, which is given jointly by the American Bar Association and the National Legal Aid and Defenders Association to honor "extraordinary achievements" in increasing access to legal services for the poor. In addition, the Tennessee Society of Association Executives named the campaign the best statewide program by an association during the past year. The program also won first place for service to the public from the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. Mr. Lewis was individually recognized by Baker Donelson as its 2010 Memphis Pro Bono Attorney of the Year.
Mr. Lewis serves as vice chair of the Tennessee Supreme Court's Access to Justice Commission. Among his many professional distinctions are appointments to the Judicial Selection Commission, the Tennessee Appellate Court Nominating Commission, the Supreme Court Advisory Commission on Rules of Trial and Appellate Procedure and the Tennessee's Lawyers Fund for Client Protection. Mr. Lewis has also served as president of the Memphis and Shelby County Bar Foundation and is a fellow of the American, Tennessee and Memphis Bar Foundations.